Andhra Pradesh: YSRCP ex-MLA alleges TDP supporters of ransacking his house
YSRCP leader Prasanna Kumar Reddy alleged TDP supporters vandalised his house after he criticised local MLA Prasanthi Reddy. TDP leaders, including Nara Lokesh, hit back, accusing him of insulting a woman MLA. Both sides demand accountability amid rising tensions
Nellore: YSRCP leader Nallapureddy Prasanna Kumar Reddy on Tuesday alleged that ruling TDP supporters attacked and ransacked his house, causing extensive damage to his property.
TDP leaders, in turn, alleged that the ex-MLA abused a woman MLA. Prasanna Kumar Reddy claimed that the attack came hours after he publicly criticised local TDP MLA Vemireddy Prashanti Reddy at around 9 pm on Monday.
While he was away with his son Rajath Reddy, the YSRCP leader said a mob, believed to be followers of Nellore MP and Prasanthi Reddy’s husband Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy, stormed his home.
However, IT Minister and TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh alleged that Prasanna Kumar Reddy made insulting comments against Prasanthi Reddy. “The assailants vandalised the house, shattered windows, broke furniture, and smashed two parked cars. They destroyed everything and stole the CCTV hard disk,” Prasanna Kumar Reddy told reporters.
Only his 80-year-old mother was at home during the incident, he said. “She was frozen in fear. They threatened her. If I were inside, they would have killed me,” he added.
Prasanna Kumar Reddy believes the attackers were inebriated. “They were possibly drunk or on a marijuana high,” he said, urging the Nellore Superintendent of Police (SP) G Krishnakanth to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation.
The former MLA accused the police of political bias. “They obey only the TDP-led NDA government. Being in opposition, we receive no protection or cooperation from the police,” Prasanna Kumar Reddy alleged.
My family has been in politics since 1961, but we never witnessed such terror, he said, adding that the new MLA should learn politics without unleashing violence on critics. Further, he claimed that no such incidents were seen during the erstwhile YSRCP government.
Meanwhile, YSRCP chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy spoke with Prasanna Kumar Reddy over the phone, expressed deep concern, and condemned the attack, terming it a shocking breakdown of law and order.
Reacting to Prasanna Kumar Reddy’s allegations, Lokesh condemned his alleged remarks against Prasanthi Reddy, calling them ‘insulting, unlawful, and disgraceful’. “Why do YSRCP leaders have such hatred towards women? Academic degrees alone are not enough; basic decency and etiquette are important,” said Lokesh, adding that publicly targeting a woman MLA and indulging in alleged character assassination is a huge crime.
Echoing Lokesh, BC Welfare Minister S Savitha condemned Prasanna Kumar Reddy’s alleged derogatory remarks against Prasanthi Reddy, questioning the YSRCP’s attitude towards women.
She pointed out that Prasanna Kumar Reddy, Prabhakar Reddy, and Prasanthi Reddy were once in the same party, YSRCP, wondering what message the opposition party leaders were sending to society by allegedly abusing a woman who is like a sister.
“The people of Andhra Pradesh are watching Prasanna Kumar Reddy’s remarks. He must immediately issue a public apology to Prasanthi Reddy,” she demanded, reminding him that there are women in his own family, too.
