PNS|Chittoor
Deputy Chief Minister K Narayana Swamy has demanded that TDP chief and former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu be officially designated as Accused 1 (A1) in the Punganur violence case.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Swamy asserted that the Punganur violence had been meticulously orchestrated by Chandrababu Naidu, with the violent incidents executed according to a preconceived plan. He further alleged that Naidu had calculatedly aimed to exploit any potential casualties resulting from the police action to garner sympathy and political advantage.
During the unrest in Punganur, approximately 50 to 60 police personnel, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), sustained injuries. Tragically, one constable suffered the loss of vision in one eye, while the condition of 10 other police personnel remains critical, lamented Swamy.
Highlighting the aftermath of the violence, Swamy informed that an ex gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh had been provided to the constable who lost an eye. Expressing disappointment, he stated that Naidu had not condemned the acts of torching police vehicles and assaulting law enforcement officers by TDP supporters. Swamy also recollected and vehemently objected to the comments made by Nara Lokesh regarding Chittoor’s Superintendent of Police.
Swamy posited that Naidu’s actions stemmed from his envy of the recognition achieved by Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, coupled with Naidu’s realisation that defeating Jagan Reddy through democratic means was an unlikely prospect. Consequently, Naidu had purportedly incited his followers to resort to violence.
“Naidu masterminded the Punganur violence, goading TDP activists into engaging in destructive behavior to foment chaos across the state and reap political benefits. This agenda is being bolstered by biased coverage from certain media outlets,” Swamy asserted vehemently.
“In response to Naidu’s unwarranted comments against Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, YSRCP supporters expressed their discontent at Angallu village. However, Naidu’s preferred media outlets skewed and disseminated distorted narratives surrounding the violence,” Swamy claimed.
Regarding the incident involving Naidu’s convoy and the police, Swamy revealed that Naidu’s convoy had been granted passage through the Punganur bypass road, but Naidu allegedly ignored the approved route after being informed by the Superintendent of Police. This defiance was a precursor to the ensuing clashes, with TDP activists purportedly launching attacks on the police using beer bottles, sticks, and stones.
Challa Ramachandra Reddy, also known as Challa Babu, reportedly inflamed the situation by provoking TDP supporters. Challa Babu had previously contested twice unsuccessfully for the Punganur constituency.
Swamy commended the police for their restraint, noting that while they had the option to open fire, they had chosen to abstain, thereby averting potential casualties.
He attributed this strategic decision to the police’s understanding of the Chief Minister’s perspective.
Furthermore, Swamy criticised Naidu for not intervening or preventing TDP cadre from engaging in violence during the Punganur incident.
