Tension reigned in Tirupati on Monday evening when some unidentified people hurled at the National President of the Telugu Desam Party, N. Chandrababu Naidu, while addressing people from a campaign vehicle at the crowded Krishnapuram Tana intersection. Two TDP activists, including a woman, were slightly injured in the incident.
As part of his campaign for the by-election of Tirupati Lok Sabha, Mr. Naidula started a short walkathon that ran through Nethaji Road before attending a public meeting at Krishnapuram Tana intersection at around 6.45 p.m. when people gathered there.
YSRCP accused
Mr Naidu blamed the YSR Congress Party leaders for the incidents when TDP activists raised slogans against Prime Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. An injured TDP activist was forced to get into the campaign vehicle and speak in front of the gathering. Mr. Naidu said, “Where are the police? I’m under Z plus safety category. If I’m not sure, what about you (common man)? ”
He said he would protest until the culprits were arrested from behind the rockfall. Mr Naidu, TDP leaders K. Atchannaidu, Galla Jayadev, K. Rammohan Naidu and Tirupati Lok Sabha’s Bypoll candidate Panabaka Lakshmi got out of the campaign vehicle and crouched at the intersection.
The police rushed to the scene and tried to convince Mr. Naidu, but to no avail. Police officers and the National Security Guards (NSG) team surrounded the protesting leaders. Given the tense situation, Mr. Naidu and the party leaders reached the office of the Superintendent of Police (Tirupati Urban) and held a protest there. The local shopkeepers closed their shutters, expecting problems.