Hyderabad: J. Srinivasa Rao did not attempt to take a selfie with YSRC president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy before stabbing him. Instead he tried to attack him straightaway, according to witnesses at the VIP lounge of the Vizag airport where the attack took place.
The YSRC chief’s personal secretary K.N. Reddy, who was standing to his left, tried to prevent Srinivasa Rao from moving closer. That quick action saved Mr Reddy from being stabbed in the neck.
Recalling the moments leading to the attack, the witnesses said Mr Reddy said ordered a cup of coffee at the Fusion Foods Restaurant.
A few minutes later, Srinivasa Rao forced his way towards the YSRC chief. “Anna, you will win 160 seats,” Srinivasa Rao told the YSRC chief according to the witness. He didn’t ask for a selfie.
“Suspicion grew over the attacker’s behaviour, even Jagan stood up after he sensed a threat,” the witness said. Mr K.N. Reddy tried to bar the man but he swiftly attacked the YSRC chief with the knife he had hidden behind the water bottle. “His aim was to slit Jagan’s neck but he missed the target, and sustained an injury on his left arm,” the witness said.
