PNS|Ongole
Tension gripped Podili town in Prakasam district on Wednesday during former chief minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s visit, as YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) activists allegedly hurled stones at Telugu Desam Party (TDP) workers. The TDP activists were staging a protest against derogatory remarks made during a recent television debate. Several TDP members and a police constable sustained injuries in the incident.
Jagan Mohan Reddy had visited Podili to inspect the tobacco auction centre and interact with farmers over their grievances. Meanwhile, a group of TDP women activists organised a protest march, carrying black balloons and placards, condemning offensive remarks made on the Sakshi news channel, owned by Jagan’s family.
Agitated by the protest, YSRCP workers allegedly pelted stones and footwear at the TDP women near the town’s bus stand. The stone-pelting resulted in bleeding injuries to some women and a police constable. The police intervened and dispersed the YSRCP activists by resorting to a lathi charge. Reacting strongly to the incident, Minister for IT and Human Resources Development Nara Lokesh condemned the attack on TDP women, stating they were peacefully expressing dissent. He said the YSRCP had failed to learn lessons even after being rejected by the public in the recent elections and accused Jagan Mohan Reddy and his party leaders of showing no respect towards women.
Lokesh demanded that the former CM offer an unconditional apology to the women attacked during the protest.
He also warned of strict action against those responsible for the violence. Former Minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao echoed the condemnation, alleging that the incident reflected the “psycho mentality” of Jagan and called for stringent action.
It may be recalled that the controversy erupted following a debate on Sakshi TV, during which senior journalist V.V.R. Krishnam Raju allegedly described Amaravati as a “capital of prostitutes”. The debate anchor, Kommineni Srinivasa Rao, reportedly failed to object to the remark. Police have since arrested Srinivasa Rao, who has been remanded in judicial custody for 14 days. A manhunt is underway to apprehend Krishnam Raju.
