KARIMNAGAR: High tension prevailed as leaders of opposition Congress and ruling TRS decided to converge at the ancient Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple in Odela mandal on Sunday coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti, following charges and counter-charges of illegal sand mining in Peddapalli district.
Former Congress legislator Ch. Vijaya Ramana Rao accused sitting TRS Peddapalli MLA D. Manohar Reddy of encouraging illegal sand mining from shores of River Manair and collecting money from contractors.
Ramana Rao said in case Manohar Reddy is not doing so, he must swear about the same in the name of God at the Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple.
The TRS MLA accepted the challenge of visiting the temple on Gandhi Jayanti on Sunday, counter-charging that it is the Congress leader who is threatening and collecting money from sand contractors.
To check any untoward situation, police made tight security arrangements at the Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple under the supervision of Peddapalli ACP Sarangapani and circle inspectors Indrasena Reddy and Pradeep Kumar.
Police disallowed party legislator Damodar from leaving his house in Peddapalli for the temple. At the same time, they prevented Congress leader Vijaya Ramana Rao from entering the temple by arresting him along with his followers.
