Congress cadre clash in Bhatti Vikramarka's padayatra

  Hyderabad: Tension gripped Congress leaders after two groups clashed during the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka's padayatra at Janagon constituency on Friday.

Bhatti’s padayatra had reached Tarigopala in Janagon constituency when, in an attempt to welcome him, the groups belonging to former minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah and former MLA Kommuri Pratap Reddy clashed with each other.

It began when Lakshmaiah’s supporters started shouting slogans in his favour, and this was countered by Pratap Reddy’s followers who began shouting slogans in support of the former MLA. As tempers began getting frayed and clashes ensued, the  police moved in and dispersed the groups from the place.

Hours before the padayatra, the Congress leaders had levelled allegations that Pratap Reddy's group was working against the Congress cadre. Lakshmaiah's group leaders alleged that Pratap Reddy's supporters had indulged in damaging the party in the constituency.