Vijayawada: The city police, which is on a mission to streamline traffic problems, has been taking strict action against traffic violators of late. They have also got a positive feedback from the public since commuting on the stretch of MG Road has became easy.
However, the cinematic rally taken out by followers and friends of Telugu Desam MLA Bonda Umamaheswara Rao’s son B. Ravi Teja who was celebrating his birthday on Sunday, left the police in a lurch. The public were put to severe inconvenience.
When contacted, commissioner of police A.B. Venkateswara Rao said, “We have photographs of the rallying vehicles and would verify them and issue e-challans. It was a sudden occurrence and there was no application seeking permission for a rally or did we give any.”
The rally, including few cars and over dozens of motorcycles, which was started at the MLA’s house near Pushpa Hotel centre in Moghalrajpuram went through MG Road, Chennupati petrol bunk centre and ended at the starting point. In the meanwhile, public on these roads faced lot of inconvenience as the rally was held with high noise. It also caused fear among the onlookers. The entire episode involved teenagers and youngsters in their 20s and it is believed that the MLA’s son was seated in the car.
At Chennupati petrol bunk junction, the entire rally of vehicles violated the ‘U’ turn rule, recently imposed while a constable was watching. Despite videos showing that the car belonging to the MLA and his followers violated rules, and police did not take any action.
When asked if there would be any counselling given by the police to the violators, who allegedly threatened the public too, Mr Rao said, "First we need to identify the persons involved in the rally and a decision would be taken accordingly".
High-end bikes used to show off
Riding on roads in high-end motorcycles in groups has become a fashion in Vijayawada for youngsters, particularly those from a section of political families, to show their strength during celebrations.
One such rally was taken out by followers of an MLA on the eve of his son’s birthday that left citizens in a shock on Sunday evening. After witnessing the rally, which was not stopped by even police, people fear that the city is going to see more such anti-social activities in future.
Former Congress MLA Malladi Vishu, in a press conference here, wondered if there is an active government in the state.
Mr Vishnu lashed out at the attitude of TD leader Bonda Umamaheswara Rao, whom he criticised for allowing his sons to create noise in public. Questioning the role of police, Mr Vishnu said the police who resorted to lathi-charge the Congress youth activists when they were taking part in a rally that has got permission, but ignored the dangerous rally by the TD MLA’s son.
He said severe action should be taken against those who violate rules. Meanwhile, people are fearing that such attitude of politicians and their family members may push back Vijayawada to days where politicians ruled the roost.
Anger over rally builds up in city
Sunday’s birthday bash came as another ‘son’ stroke to the legislator as Opposition parties and public lashed out at the arrogant attitude of the MLA.
While the netizens on social media have started criticising the attitude of so-called leaders and their sons, YSR Congress took on the MLA, reminding how the family of Mr Bonda Umamaheswara has been affecting people.
A post on official Facebook page of YSRC alleged that Mr Bonda Umamaheswara and his family were repeatedly threatening people. While the MLA warned YSRC leaders of burying in the ground, in the state Assembly recently, his elder son Siddhartha was accused of causing death due to negligence in an alleged car race on National Highway in Guntur district.
Adding to it, the MLA’s younger son is now facing allegations of leading a dangerous rally of cars and motorcycles on arterial roads of Vijayawada.
Senior YSRC leader P. Gautham Reddy said police is not giving permission to those who want to stage demonstrations for public issues, but allowed them to do whatever they want just because he is an MLA’s son. In fact, they cleared traffic for the rally.
“This kind of behaviour by sons of legislators will lead the city youth the wrong way which may rekindle many issues that cause damage to youth. Due to negligence of the same MLA’s son a student has was killed,” Mr Reddy said.
