KTR warns Congress against physical attacks on BRS activists

BRS working president KT Rama Rao condemned post-poll violence in Jubilee Hills, vowing to protect party workers. He visited assaulted activist Rakesh and defeated candidate Maganti Sunitha Gopinath, while accusing Congress of using goonda tactics, bogus votes, and money distribution

Hyderabad: Coming down heavily on the post-poll violence unleashed by the Congress party in Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency, BRS working president KT Rama Rao on Saturday sounded a warning against any further escalation in the situation.

“If Congress does not stop its goondaism, the people will teach it a lesson,” he said after visiting BRS activist Rakesh in Rahmat Nagar on Saturday to express solidarity after he was assaulted by the Congressmen.

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“I condemn the assault on our party worker. Within 24 hours of the Jubilee Hills election results, Congress is resorting to goondaism,” he said, emphasising that during the 10-year rule of the BRS, which included multiple by-election wins, the party had never engaged in attacks on Congress workers.

“But now, the people of Telangana are witnessing the rowdyism being perpetrated by Congress,” he said.

Holding the Congress responsible for the incident, he said the BRS would protect its workers by all means, and alleged that the Congress had secured victory through “bogus votes, goonda tactics and distribution of money”.

Responding to remarks by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy urging him to reduce arrogance, Rama Rao retorted: “The people are observing whose arrogance it is. The Congress party took out a victory rally yesterday (Friday) after the results were announced. We have won numerous elections, if winning alone makes them this intoxicated, imagine how many elections we have won in the past.”

Rama Rao also announced a meeting with Jubilee Hills leaders and workers on Tuesday to discuss further steps in the wake of rising political tensions after the Congress party’s win in the by-election.

Earlier, he visited the residence of party candidate Maganti Sunitha Gopinath in Jubilee Hills and consoled her family following her defeat in the by-election. He arrived at her residence at 10 am, where he met with Sunitha and her family members. He advised them to remain strong stating that victories and defeats were a natural part of politics.

“Stay courageous,” Rama Rao told the family and praised Sunitha and her children for the inspiration and fighting spirit they displayed throughout the election campaign.

He lauded their dedication and efforts despite the outcome.