Vijayawada: Minister Perni Nani attacked with trowel; luckily escapes unhurt

Vijayawada: In a shocking incident, a miscreant attacked Transport Minister Perni Venkata Ramaiah alias Nani at his residence in Machilipatnam with a sharp trowel (an instrument used by construction workers for cementing the bricks) on Sunday.

Luckily, the Minister escaped unhurt in the incident. The attack occurred when Perni Nani was supervising the food arrangements for the guests, who visited his home for the ceremony of his mother Nageswaramma who passed away recently. Nani conducted the ceremony on Sunday and food was served on the occasion.

The miscreant was identified as Badugu Nageswara Rao, the resident of Chemmannagiripeta Colony in Machilipatnam. Nageswara Rao came close to the Minister on the pretext of touching his feet and suddenly attacked him on the stomach with the trowel.

Luckily, Nani did not sustain injuries because his belt acted as a shield. The attacker tried to attack Nani again within no time. Luckily, the security personnel prevented the attack and overpowered him.

Circle inspector Venkata Ramana, who is investigating the case said the police identified the miscreant and found that he was in an inebriated state when he attacked the Minister.

The Circle Inspector said followers of the Minister lodged a complaint with the police on the attack and they started the probe into the incident. Krishna District SP M Ravindranath Babu said the police started the probe and began enquiring into any political links pertaining to the attack.

YSRCP leaders Kodali Nani, Jogi Ramesh, Vallabhaneni Vamsi, Talasila Raghuram and others expressed their sympathies with the Minister. Many political leaders and party functionaries are visiting the residence of Perni Nani these days to console him following the recent death of his mother.

Health Minister Alla Nani has condemned the attack on the Transport Minister. The Health Minister visited Machilipatnam and met Perni Nani.