Vijayawada: YSRC leader Vangaveeti Radha Krishna on Monday said Gowtham Reddy, who ‘looted poor’ and faces allegation in land scams, has no right to comment on Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga. Radha Krishna alleged that Gowtham Reddy, who was accused in two murder cases and also faced extermination from city, is intentionally blaming Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga for political gains. He said followers of Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga represent different political parties and they still revere him and lakhs of his followers got hurt with Gowtham Reddy’s statement.
He alleged that Gowtham Reddy earned huge money in the name of the CPI and later joined the Congress and the YSRC. Radha Krishna said the YSRC initially encouraged such ‘downmarket’ politicians and welcomed the party’s move to suspend him. “Gowtam Reddy could have scolded me or other party workers if he was not happy and intended to shift party rather than abusing a leader who died two decades ago. Gowtham Reddy had opened up his opinion on Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga and his community and followers of Ranga will answer him,” he said.
Mr Radha Krishna said the police overreacted during his arrest on Sunday. “I have the right to express my opinion on Gowtham Reddy’s statements and I held a press meet in my office. Some police officials blocked me from leaving my office and were harsh with me and created a scene to impress their higher officials,” he alleged. Mr Radha Krishna found fault with the city police who did not even deployed women constables during the arrest of his mother Ratna Kumari and said that he would soon complain in writing on this matter.
Meanwhile, tension continued on Monday at Gowtham Reddy’s house in Satyanarayanapuram where hundreds of his followers gathered in his support. The police cleared the crowd and filed a case on Gowtham Reddy under Section 153A of IPC for his comments promoting disturbances between communities. Meanwhile, Kapu associations have continued agitations across district demanding serious action on Gowtham Reddy who hurt the sentiments of Kapus.
“Vangaveeti family was always in hearts of Telugu people. Radha Krishna was maintaining peace even after facing insults from public. We thank the YSRC for suspending him and the police should take stringent action on him,” said Chandana Suresh, a YSRC leader. The city police increased security in Krishna Lanka, Ajith Singh Nagar, Satyanarayanapuram areas and deployed special teams at Radha’s office and home.
