Armoor BJP MLA Under Fire Post Pushpa 2 Release
Nizamabad: Post Pushpa-2 release, political opponents here started targeting Armoor BJP MLA Paidi Rakesh Reddy as a red sanders smuggler. The ruling Congress leaders criticised him for his role in alleged red sanders smuggling in united Andhra Pradesh.
The controversy erupted after minister for roads and buildings Komatireddy Venkat Reddy visited Nizamabad district recently. The minister reportedly introduced the defeated Armoor constituency candidate P. Vinay Kumar Reddy as Armoor MLA to district collector Rajiv Gandhi Hanumanthu.
Minister’s remarks created the controversy and Armoor MLA Paidi Rakesh Reddy raised objections over this. He said that minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy dishonoured the elected Armoor MLA. He decided to report this to the Election Commission of India.
In a counter attack, district Congress committee president, cooperative societies’ union chairman Manala Mohan Reddy termed MLA Rakesh Reddy as a red sanders smuggler. In an election affidavit, allegations were raised against Rakesh Reddy for theft or receipt of stolen property of red sandal wood in Mahanandi rural police station limits in Kurnool district. Police registered an FIR (213) against him under AP Forest Act.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Armoor BJP MLA Paidi Rakesh Reddy said minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy insulted the elected MLA. The minister's recklessness hurt people of Armoor Assembly constituency, he said, adding that he would raise the protocol issue in Assembly sessions. “I am a licensed exporter of red sanders, and will not care about the political criticism on my business,” Rakesh Reddy said.
