Tirupati: Telugu Desam Party (TDP) workers demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh blocked Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah’s way when he was on his way to Renigunta airport from Tirumala hills on Friday.
The protesting party workers broke the windshield of a car in his convoy and clashed with BJP workers. In the melee, a stone too was allegedly hurled at one of the vehicles in his convoy.
The BJP president had arrived in Tirupati on Thursday night after wrapping up his month-long election campaign in Karnataka.
Tension prevailed as activists demanded that the Centre immediately fulfil all promises made to Andhra Pradesh in the Reorganisation Act, 2014, and also accord special category status for the state.
According to a report in Hindustan Times, TDP workers were seen wearing black badges and holding party flags. They also blocked Shah's convoy at the Alipiri check-post.
The workers squatted on the road and shouted slogans saying “Amit Shah Go Back,” “We want justice” and “Give us special category status”.
BJP workers following Shah’s convoy resisted the TDP workers, resulting in clashes.
A TDP statement, quoting Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said, "Don't bring disrepute to the party by such acts of indiscipline. Everybody should act in a disciplined manner. There is no place for clashes or tensions in our just struggle."
The TDP had snapped its ties earlier this year with the BJP alleging neglect of the southern state and failure of the Centre to grant special category state status for Andhra Pradesh.
(With PTI inputs)
