Tension grips Vizag airport as YSRCP cadres block Naidu

Visakhapatnam: Tension prevailed at Visakhapatnam airport from morning to evening when TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu arrived here on Thursday.

Hurling slippers and eggs, the YSRC activists shouted 'Go back Chandrababu' slogans while the TDP workers in counter raised 'Jai Chandrababu' slogans. The YSRC activists alleged that Naidu was leading Praja Chaitanya Yatra with malafide intention and was against the north Andhra development. They pointed out that Naidu had hardly done anything for the state's progress and had totally neglected north Andhra development, in particular all through his regime.

Followed by the call given by the YSCR leaders, a large number of activists arrived at the airport to carry out the protest successfully. Meanwhile, the police had tough time in stopping the TDP leaders and activists from entering the airport and other junctions when they came to receive their party chief.

Meanwhile, the TDP leaders and activists reached airport to welcome their chief. MLA Vasupalli Ganesh Kumar expressed anguish over the high-handed behaviour of the police for stopping the TDP leaders from approaching their leader at the airport. TDP leaders alleged that the police remained as mute spectators rather than bringing the situation under control when the YSRC's protest turned worse from bad. Apart from hurling slippers at Naidu's convoy, the protestors broke the car glass of MLA Velagapudi Ramakrishna Babu, terming the MLA as 'Uttrandhra drohi' (traitor).

Similarly, the protestors hurled eggs at former minister K Atchannaidu's vehicle. TDP leaders Atchannaidu, Chinna Rajappa wondered why the YSRCP created such a ruckus for Naidu's arrival in the city. They said they never saw such violence in the peaceful city earlier.

Terming the violence as just a 'trailer,' former MLA V Anitha cautioned denizens to imagine the law and order situation in future when the city becomes executive capital.