Illegal digging of red clay leads to differences between local leaders

Anantapur: Internal bickering between tourism minister Bhuma Akhilapriya and Srisailam MLA Budda Rajasekhar Reddy over digging of red soil clay in Mahanandi mandal has raised many eyebrows among party leaders in Kurnool district.

Both groups are trying for the upper hand over selling of clay by putting stickers with names of their leaders on their vehicles. Further, the Vigilance department recently, seized a few vehicles of close aides of the minister over illicit digging activities in Mahanandi mandal. Mahanandi is located close to Nandyal from where Akhilapriya is an MLA.

Rich red soil found in the Mahanandi area is used for manufacturing bricks. Local MLA Budda Rajasekhar Reddy’s men were reportedly involved in large scale digging of clay. Recently, Tourism Minister Bhuma Akhilapriya’s men also entered the business and began digging red clay deposits. Both groups were indulging in the same illicit business and this led to differences among them. Sources said, the MLA’s group reportedly tipped off the Vigilance over the illegal mining activities.