YSRCP, TDP activists clash in Mantralayam mandal

Kurnool: Tense situation prevailed at Rampuram village of Mantralayam mandal in Kurnool district as the YSRCP activists and villagers pelted stones and hurled chappals at Mantrayalam Assembly TDP candidate Thikka Reddy. The glass panes of his car were destroyed in the attack. Following the attack, Thikka Reddy proceeded to Madhavaram police station and lodged a complaint stating that YSRCP nominee Y Bala Nagi Reddy and his family members made an attempt to kill him.

Meanwhile, hearing the news about the attack on their party leader, the TDP supporters attacked the campaign vehicle of the YSRCP workers and fans of Tollywood star Mahesh Babu in the village and destroyed it. The police resorted to lathi-charge and chased away the TDP activists. Later, Bala Nagi Reddy alleged that TDP candidate Thikka Reddy has made provocative statements which disturbed peace in the village and appealed to the EC and police to advise him not to indulge in such acts.

Rampuram is the native village of former MLA and YSRCP nominee Bala Nagi Reddy. On hearing news that TDP candidate Thikka Reddy is arriving at the village for campaign, large number of villagers and YSRCP activists reached village suburb in a large number and staged a protest. Thikka Reddy made the trip to the village ignoring the prior warning issued by the police. Amidst police bandobust, Thikka Reddy reached the village at 3 p.m. With the villagers away, all the houses were found locked. The TDP candidate even found the Ramalingeswara Swamy temple locked. He offered prayers and broke coconuts outside the temple. Once he left the temple area, the YSRCP activists attacked him.