Vijayawada tense after YSRC man's remarks on Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga Rao
Vijaywada: The police increased security at major junctions in the city after indiscriminate remarks made by a YSRC trade union leader against the late Kapu strong man Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga Rao and his brother Radhakrishna led to protests by the family and their subsequent arrest.
Mr Gowtham Reddy told a TV channel that there was “nothing wrong in killing” Radha and Ranga, and compared them to snakes. He said his opinion would not change even if Mr Malladi Vishnu, a Congress leader and liquor businessman, were to join the YSRC.
Mr Gowtham Reddy said he would not shout slogans in support of Mr Radha-krishna Rao Jr, the son of Ranga Rao, who joined the YSRC in 2012.
Following the interview, tension prevailed at Mohan Ranga Rao’s house at Moghalrajpuram when the police tried to prevent Mr Radhakrishna Jr and his mother from going out to conduct a press conference on Mr Gowtham Reddy’s remarks.
ACP Satyanandam and Machavaram circle inspector Uma Maheswara Rao and others requested them not to leave the house considering the tense situation in the city.
When they tried to leave the house, the police personnel formed a human wall to block them. They tried to break their way through and Ms Ratnakumari lost consciousness for a short time and Mr Radhakrishna fell down and his shirt buttons were pulled off. Following this, police arrested both of them.
They continued their protest at the Ibrahimpatnam police station opposing their arrest. Mr Radhakrishna refused to enter the police station and sat on floor, demanding that that polcie explain why they had arrested him. His supporters staged a dharna at the police station. The mother and son were released after three hours.
On Sunday morning, the YSRC issued a showcause notice to Mr Gowtham Reddy asking why action should not be taken against him. Party spokesperson K. Parthasarahi said YSRC president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had warned that action would be taken against any party leader speaking against any individual or community. The party requested the TV channel to telecast its version.
Mr Gowtham Reddy had lost badly in the 2014 elections, and Mr Radhakrishna Rao was made coordinator for his Vijayawada Central constituency. Mr Gowtham Reddy was relegated to trade union activities.
The reported entry of Mr Vishnu, who had contested from Vijayawada Central on a Congress ticket in 2014, riled Mr Gowtham Reddy.
