Former chief minister and TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday accused YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government of murdering democracy in Andhra Pradesh and questioned the legitimacy of the recently issued government order prohibiting roadshows or roadside meetings after he was stopped by the police from entering Kuppam, his home constituency and his party supporters were lathicharged.
The Andhra Pradesh police denied permission to the former chief minister to tour Kuppam in the wake of stampede in two of his rallies leading to a massive face-off between him and the police which had taken away the campaign vehicle, dismantled stage and even detained the driver.
However, Naidu reached Pedduru at the Andhra Pradesh-Karnataka border and was given a rousing reception by supporters chanting “Jai Jai Babu” but a police contingent stopped him, showing him the government order.
The faceoff between the two sides had begun in the morning as the police stopped the TDP workers who were heading to Pedduru village leading to an argument between both sides. The police stopped TDP workers heading to Santhipuram where Naidu was going to hold a roadshow. There was a massive deployment of police personnel in all the villages where Naidu was scheduled to visit during his three day visit, prompting the TDP to take a dig saying 2,000 policemen were deployed to stop him while only 150 were deployed to manage his roadshows.
The police also dismantled the stage set up at Kenamakulapalli village. The party alleged the driver of the campaign vehicle was held by the police though the party claimed they had sought permission for the campaign vehicle as well as for another one carrying the sound system.
Despite the restrictions imposed by the police, Naidu, who came from Bengaluru, got a rousing reception in Kuppam from party workers who gathered at the border to receive him with chants of “Jai Jai Babu”. The police stopped Naidu at Pedduru at Karnataka- Andhra Pradesh border saying he had no permission. Naidu then got into a huge row with the DSP chiding him when it was suggested that he should go door to door. Wondering how he can be prevented from meeting people of his home constituency Naidu asked if they should hold meetings in the sky if not on the roads. He also slammed the AP government saying that the Opposition should hold meetings depending on the generosity of the YSRCP. He was repeatedly heard using the word “psycho” to refer to the chief minister while the YSRCP used the term “rowdy” against him.
YSRCP leader and minister Peddireddy Ramchandra Reddy said Naidu’s behaviour and comments were despicable and accused him of inciting the TDP activists leading to lathicharge.