Internal bickering in Bhadrachalam Congress intensifies, police case lodged against ex-MLA Veeraiah

The internal feud in Bhadrachalam Congress between MLA Dr Tellam Venkat Rao and ex-MLA Podem Veeraiah has escalated to violence, with an auto driver alleging a murder attempt by Veeraiah and his aides. Police complaints and hospitalisation followed

Kothagudem: Internal bickering within the Bhadrachalam Congress is intensifying, as the war of words between sitting MLA Dr Tellam Venkat Rao and former MLA Podem Veeraiah’s factions has now escalated into physical assaults.

The feud between the MLA and ex-MLA began when Venkat Rao joined the Congress after getting elected on a BRS ticket in the last Assembly elections. Veeraiah is reportedly feeling sidelined by Venkat Rao and has accused him of favouring his own supporters in the implementation of welfare schemes.

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Earlier this month, during a programme in Dummugudem, Veeraiah publicly stated that Venkat Rao was not a “true Congress leader”, sparking online clashes between their followers. Matters worsened when a follower of Veeraiah asked one of Venkat Rao’s supporters to delete social media posts targeting Veeraiah, leading to physical altercations and police complaints from both sides.

In the latest development, the MLA’s follower, Rayala Sreenu, an auto-rickshaw driver, lodged a complaint with Bhadrachalam police on July 23, accusing Veeraiah and his associates—Kollapudi Varun, Mohammed Rafi, and two others—of attempting to murder him and his son.

Sreenu alleged that Veeraiah’s follower, Tammalla Venkateshwarlu, called him on June 20 and asked him to visit Veeraiah’s house, apologise, and withdraw a police complaint filed on June 5. Sreenu said he went there with his son the next day. While speaking to Veeraiah, Rafi and Varun allegedly began kicking him in the stomach and private parts. He claimed that Veeraiah also joined the assault and issued death threats.

He further alleged that the attack continued despite his son’s pleas. Sreenu named Veeraiah, Rafi, Varun, Chinna Yesu, Venkateshwarlu, and Basava Raju in his complaint, stating he fears for his life.

Meanwhile, MLA Venkat Rao reportedly met with the Bhadrachalam ASP, demanding strict action against those involved in the attack. Sreenu is currently undergoing treatment at a local hospital. The local Circle Inspector has reportedly gone on leave, citing difficulty in handling the surge of complaints from both factions.