Telugu Desam men attacked by rival TDP leaders

Hyderabad: A prominent Backward Class leader and LB Nagar Telugu Desam nominee R. Krishnaiah was attacked allegedly by rival TD activists at Saroornagar here on Wednesday.

Mr Krishnaiah was not hurt, but his car was damaged and the windscreen smashed by the attackers who were protesting against the ticket being issued to him. The police chased away the attackers and took some into custody.

“We have booked a case against the attackers for unlawful assembly, rioting, criminal intimidation, wrongful restraint, among other charges,” said Saroornagar police inspector B. Naveen Reddy.

The incident occurred when Mr Krishnaiah was on his way to LB Nagar municipal office along with supporters to file his nomination papers.

“The attack is an attack on BCs. It only shows some are still against BCs. I have lodged a complaint with Saroornagar police,” Mr Krishnaiah said.

Police suspect that the followers of TD leader Sama Ranga Reddy are behind the attack. The police will take the help of available video footage of the attack to identify the attackers.

TD chief N. Chandrababu Naidu was quick to condemn the attack and asked party men to observe restraint and bring any dispute to his notice.

This is the first major attack on a TD candidate in Telangana after a series of protests in front of the TD chief’s Jubilee Hills home and party office by those who were not given tickets, or who lost out to the BJP as part of the seat sharing. A group of people seeking the Raidurgam ticket for Mr Deepak Reddy staged a dharna for some time.