Anantapur: Gudikatla Sambaralu, a traditional festival of the Kuruba community, took an ugly political turn following a clash between the YSRC and TD supporters here on Monday. The Kuruba community plays a major role in politics in Anantapur and Kurnool areas.
Kuruba community elders have in recent days organised a traditional programme of Gudikatla Sambaralu and brought idols from all parts of Anantapur and Satya Sai districts to offer pooja for God Bheerappa.
As part of the fete, some 250 idols were taken out in a procession in Anantapur from the surrounding villages to the Junior College Grounds on Sunday.
The event turned political as activists of YSRC, TD, CPI, BJP, Congress and other organisations had installed flexi boards hailing the festival. These also carried the names and pictures of the respective leaders.
The community has been politically dominating Anantapur, Satya Sai and Kurnool districts, after the Boyas.
Women welfare minister Ushashri Charan, Hindupur MP Gorantla Madhav, former minister and Penukonda MLA Shankar Narayana from YSRC, former MP and Hindupur parliament segment incharge Parthasarathi, CPI state leader G Jagadish and several leaders were present.
Addressing a public meeting, the Hindupur MP said there was no unity among the community because of the actions of a few leaders. In specific, he targeted TD leader BK Parthasarathi.
This led to tension as Parthasarathi objected to the comments of Gorantla Madhav. Parthasarathi’s supporters challenged the MP on the dais. After a heated argument, rival groups clashed and the police intervened to calm frayed tempers.
Soon after the incident, minister Ushashri Charan and Gorantla Madhav exited from the dais. The organisers were upset and asked leaders of various political parties not to politicise this traditional programme.
