HYDERABAD: Jayashankar Bhupalpally police on Thursday put under house arrest ruling party MLA Gandra Venkataramana Reddy and Congress in-charge of Bhupalpally assembly segment Gandra Satyanarayana Rao after the latter sought a public debate on accusations of corruption and land grabbing against the BRS legislator.
Satyanarayana asserted that he would prove his charges of corruption and land grabbing against the ruling party MLA and challenged Venkataramana to be present for an open discussion at 11 am near the Ambedkar statue in Bhupalpally town on Thursday.
The BRS legislator accepted the challenge that the Congress leader had thrown at a press conference he had organised on Wednesday protesting against pelting of stones at those participating in the “Haath Se Haath Jodo” padayatra programme of TPCC president A. Revanth Reddy on Tuesday.
Venkataramana declared that he will be present at the open discussion, provided Satyanarayana presented documentary evidence of allegations he has made against the BRS legislator.
The mutual challenges raised the political temperature in Bhupalpally town with people anticipating fireworks during the debate.
To prevent any untoward situation, however, Bhupalpally district superintendent of police J. Surendar Reddy imposed section 144 for a week, barring gathering of people in the town. The SP declared that police have not given permission for any open debate, meeting or show of strength in the town for maintaining law and order. He warned that strict action will be taken if section 144 is violated during the week or attempts are made to disturb normal life.
Police followed up on the warning by putting both Gandras – Satyanarayana Rao and Venkataramana Reddy – under house arrest on Thursday.
Congress leader Satyanarayana alleged that by imposing section 144, the BRS government is trying to protect local MLA Venkataramana Reddy, fearing that the ruling party legislator’s illegal activities will get exposed among people.
Satyanarayana maintained that people are fully aware of what is going on in Bhupalpally district. They are ready to teach a fitting lesson to the BRS party in the coming assembly elections, he stated.
