Days after the attack on him inside Vizag airport, Andhra Pradesh Opposition leader and YSRCP chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy has written two letters to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. While in one he sought central intervention on the attack, in the other one he sought assistance to the state government towards Cyclone Titli relief measures by releasing funds.
The letters were submitted to Rajnath Singh by a YSRCP delegation led by Rajaya Sabha MP Vijayasai Reddy and party senior leader and former MP YV Subba Reddy along with other leaders.
Calling the attack unfair and motivated, Jagan sought intervention from the Centre in the investigation into the attack. He said that he was attacked by an unknown assailant on the pretext of taking a selfie from close physical proximity.
Claiming that the investigation into the case by the state government was “undertaken in a predetermined and deficient manner”, Jagan stated that local inquiries had arrived at a “premature conclusion” and tried to portray the attack as an “internal ploy” of the YSRCP.
Calling the quick response by Andhra DGP RP Thakur, where he claimed that the attack was merely motivated by a desire to gain some public attention, as “hasty” and “improper ascertainment” and an attempt to minimise, Jagan said it was tailored to suit the interests of the ruling TDP government.
Jagan has also stated that the state government machinery is working with the “ulterior motive of trivialising” the attack on him. He alleged that CM Chandrababu Naidu, through his press statements, made blatant attempts to “misguide the investigation progress” by claiming that the attack was internal and done to seek sympathy ahead of the upcoming elections.
He also wrote that CM Naidu was trying to dilute the “gruesome” attack on him by claiming it was scripted for ‘Operation Garuda’. TDP circles have been claiming that this was a campaign orchestrated by the BJP-led union government in order to destabilise the state.
Jagan stated that he was absolutely certain that the investigation agencies, which are under the control of the state government, would not “effectively discharge their functions”.
He urged the union minister to entrust an investigation agency that is not under the control of the state government, to ensure that the inquiry would not get “vitiated” and the real reasons behind the attack will be unearthed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Meanwhile, on Sunday the Vizag City Police produced the assailant J Srinivasa Rao before the VII Metropolitan Magistrate Court after he had been arrested under section 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC.
Funds for cyclone relief sought
While informing the union minister that Cyclone Titli had cost several lives and resulted in widespread damage in the area, Jagan said “urgent assistance from the central government is positively imperative at this juncture to provide relief to the state.”
Jagan told the minister that the state government’s estimation of Rs 3,435 crore is an amount that is necessary for restoration in the cyclone-hit areas, while urging immediate and adequate assistance from the central government.