Srisailam TD MLA Creates Ruckus at Toll Plaza, Kidnaps Staffer
The incident has also gone viral on social media, drawing sharp reactions
KURNOOL: A tense situation prevailed at a toll plaza on National Highway-340C near Rudravaram in Pamulapadu mandal in Nandyal district on Thursday after Srisailam MLA Budda Rajasekhar Reddy created a ruckus. The angry TD legislator went on to order his followers to forcibly take away an employee of the toll plaza in their vehicle.
According to sources, the MLA had been travelling from Kurnool to Atmakur along with his supporters in a convoy. His convoy had to stop at the toll plaza, as the driver of a vehicle ahead had been paying the toll fees online, leading to a brief delay.
Irritated by the wait, Rajasekhar Reddy lost his temper. Eyewitnesses said he confronted the toll plaza employee, identified as Mahesh, and questioned him for not recognising him. He threatened the staffer, saying, “Don’t you know who I am? I will deal with you.”
Following his instructions, the legislator’s aides forced Mahesh into their vehicle and drove away towards Rajasekhar Reddy’s native Velpanur village.
This triggered panic and outrage within the toll plaza staff and local residents. Upon learning about the development, Mahesh’s parents and village elders rushed to Velpanur and staged a protest, demanding his immediate release. This led to Mahesh being freed later.
The episode has sparked widespread criticism, with locals expressing shock over the high-handed behaviour of the ruling party MLA. The incident has also gone viral on social media, drawing sharp reactions.
Rajasekhar Reddy had earlier courted controversy over an attack on forest officials along with a Jana Sena leader. The latest incident has raised questions about those in power behaving as though they are above the law.
