BRS demands apology over police action against women MLAs, cry foul over police escort to Congress leaders to reach Erravelli

Telangana witnessed an intense political confrontation on Tuesday as the BRS and Congress clashed inside and outside the Assembly. The House recommended action against two BRS MLCs, while tensions escalated after Congress workers moved towards KCR’s Erravelli residence

Hyderabad: In a day of fast-paced developments, the State capital witnessed intense political activity both inside and outside the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday. While the main Opposition party, the BRS, continued to demand an unconditional apology from the government over the alleged high-handed behaviour of the police, the ruling party focussed on the comments made by BRS MLCs Tatha Madhu and Naveen Kumar Reddy against the Speaker and sought an apology from BRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao.

The see-saw battle between the two political camps continued and, by the end of the day, the Assembly passed a resolution recommending stringent action against the two MLCs for their remarks against the Speaker. Subsequently, the Council suspended both of them till the end of the current session. Throughout the day, the State witnessed intensified political activity, with the MLCs being arrested by the Saifabad police from their residences. However, the two Council members were released after the court refused to remand them in judicial custody and granted them bail.

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Earlier in the day, heated exchanges continued in the Assembly, with BRSLP deputy leader T Harish Rao demanding an apology from the government for the alleged police assault on BRS MLAs Sabitha Indra Reddy and Sunitha Laxma Reddy. Harish Rao told the House that despite the two women MLAs being subjected to alleged police high-handedness, they were implicated in criminal cases.

Responding to the references to the alleged assault on the two women members, Speaker Prasad Kumar told the House that he had immense respect for the women MLAs, “who are like my own sisters”. He said he had sought a report on the incident. Legislative Affairs Minister D Sridhar Babu also said the government had sought a report and assured the House that appropriate action would be taken.

The strategy of the Treasury benches was apparent as they sought to corner the BRS over the comments against the Speaker. Leading the frontal assault was SC, ST Welfare Minister Adluri Laxman, who demanded that BRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao come to the House and apologise for the BRS MLCs’ comments. Panchayat Raj Minister D Seethakka alleged that BRS leaders had deliberately pushed the two women MLAs towards the police and strategically stood behind them. “The two women MLAs should also introspect,” she said.

Amid the allegations, Harish Rao reminded the House that the BRS MLC had withdrawn his comments and expressed regret. He said the police had already booked a case against the MLC and arrested him. “We have immense respect for the Chair and personally towards you. But what action has been taken against the police for their overzealous action against women MLAs? The government should apologise,” Harish Rao told the Chair. As BRS MLAs continued to demand an apology, the Chief Marshal went to individual members and took away their placards.

Meanwhile, BJP Floor Leader A Maheswar Reddy demanded a debate on the 22A issue. He said the Congress government should apologise to the women MLAs and also maintained that the BRS should reciprocate by apologising for its MLC’s comments against the Speaker. As the war of words continued, the BRS MLAs moved into the well of the House, leading to its adjournment.

Even as this was going on, the situation took an ugly turn outside the Assembly when Congress MLA from Shadnagar Veerlapally Shankar said party MLAs were heading to the BRS chief’s residence at Erravelli to play “Chavu Dappu”, a traditional drumbeat associated with funeral processions. In a video circulating on social media, Shankar is heard saying, “Yes, we are playing Chavu Dappu for him.” Asked why Congress MLAs were praying for the BRS chief’s death, he replied that KCR was a “peeda” for the State and that they had to get rid of him. Objecting to the Congress MLA’s comments, BRS leaders burnt his effigy and demanded that he mend his ways.

As the see-saw battle of words continued inside and outside the Assembly, there was heavy police deployment at the residence of the BRS supremo at Erravelli, and reports emerged that the Congress was moving its cadres to Erravelli with police escorts. This prompted BRS MLAs to rush to Erravelli, apprehending that there could be an attack on the residence by Congress cadres.

While Congress workers from Ghatkesar moved towards Erravelli with policemen accompanying them, BRS legislators led by party working president K T Rama Rao also rushed to Erravelli. They were intercepted by the police at Bollaram, leading to another round of heated arguments with the police. K T Rama Rao was seen showing a video of Congress workers and policemen moving towards Erravelli to a police officer and asking why he was being stopped when he was going home.

The BRS legislators were then taken into custody and shifted to different police stations. The situation went out of control at Bowenpally police station when Congress workers clashed with BRS workers near the station.

Taking to X, Rama Rao questioned Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over what he termed the party’s double standards. “Royal police escort being given by Telangana DGP to Congress goons who are on their way to attack KCR Garu at his residence. Well done Telangana DGP. Dekho bhai Rahul Gandhi tumhara Mohabbat ka Dukaan,” he posted.