VIJAYAWADA: Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan on Saturday visited people whose houses have been demolished in Ippatam village of Tadepalli mandal in Guntur district. He vowed to spill his blood if needed to safeguard interests of the people and went on to predict the downfall of YSRC government.
Describing the demolition of houses as political vendetta, the power star said villagers of Ippatam had offered their lands to hold Jana Sena’s meeting in March. YSRC government served notices on them for demolition of houses in April.
“It is certainly an act of political vendetta. We wonder why no road is being widened at Pedakakani village, where Mangalagiri MLA Alla Ramakrishna Reddy resides. Ippatam village does not need wide roads like in Rajahmundry and Kakinada. If the government continues this way, we will lay a highway on houses at Idupulapaya in Pulivendula,” Pawan Kalyan thundered.
Tension mounted at the Jana Sena party office at Mangalagiri on Saturday when the JS chief wanted to visit the Ippatam village to express his solidarity with affected villagers. Police prevented his vehicle from moving out, saying no permission has been given. However, when Pawan Kalyan started walking on the road to Ippatam, police relented and permitted him to visit the village.
When the JS chief arrived at one of the demolished houses, a woman identified as Indla Lakshmi told him that despite their appeal not to demolish her house as there is a pregnant woman staying there, officials partially demolished the house, including the water tank. Lakshmi said they had been concerned about the safety of the pregnant woman.
Responding, Pawan Kalyan asked her not to panic. He said his party will extend all support to each of the villagers on the issue. “We cannot be cowed down, as we are ready even for an encounter,” he remarked.
The JS chief said, “State government advisor Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy is acting like a de-facto chief minister. He will be held responsible if there is any harm to Jana Sena supporters. The government is not even allowing us to express protest over injustice,” he observed.
Pawan Kalyan said they want police to act as per provisions of the Constitution. “We are fighting to safeguard democracy. We will not retract from our efforts,” he declared.
Authorities maintain that the Mangalagiri-Tadepalli Municipal Corporation is developing nearly one-km stretch of main road from present 65 feet to 120 feet. Ippatam falls on this stretch. Accordingly, they served several notices to people living along the stretch during the last four months.
Officials said over 40 houses had been partly demolished when trouble broke with villagers resisting the demolitions.
