YSRC accuses DGP R.P. Thakur of carrying Rs 35 crore cash for K.A. Paul’s party

Vijayawada: A YSRC delegation led by its general secretary V. Vijaya Sai Reddy met the full bench of the Election Commission on Thursday in New Delhi and urged it to take action against Praja Shanthi Party chief K.A. Paul and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for alleged abuse of power.

The YSRC delegation also sought the shifting of DGP R.P. Thakur and keeping him away from poll duties. Mr Vijaya Sai Reddy alleged that Mr Thakur transported Rs 35 crore in his official vehicle from Amaravati to Prakasam district. He challenged the DGP to prove him wrong and file a case against him.

The MP said the delegation brought to the notice of the EC how Mr Naidu had fielded a “stooge” in the form of Mr Paul, whose party’s ‘helicopter’ symbol was identical to that of the fan of the YSRC. He said Mr Paul fielded several candidates with the same name as those of YSRC candidates with the intention of confusing voters.

Mr Reddy said that the Intelligence wing was an integral part of the police department and could not be separated from it. He remarked that Mr Naidu was attempting to do this because he had no faith in constitutional bodies. “His defiance of the EC reflects his authoritarian behavior,” the MP said.

“Mr Naidu created a constitutional crisis, but he was certain that justice would prevail when the court would give its verdict in this matter," he said. Mr Reddy listed other examples of alleged abuse of authority by Mr Naidu including the controversial GO brought out by the CM with regard to the DG of Intelligence. The YSRC delegation also sought the shifting of Mr Thakur and asked the EC to keep him away from poll duties.

The senior YSRC leader said that many requests made by them were ignored by the DGP. "Mr Thakur had behaved as a TD functionary during the Nandyal byelections, and there were other officials whose pro-TD tilt was evident," he said.

Therefore, the YSRC delegation sought action against retired police officials including Mr Damodar Naidu, Mr Gattamaneni Srinivas and Mr Yoganand. The YSRC team appealed to the EC to initiate immediate action to keep other officials away from poll duties including the collector of Prakasam district, SP of Chittoor, and the rural SP of Guntur district.