Attacks on Babu, Chiru insult to democracy

Condemning the pelting of stones on Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu’s convoy and the attack on Praja Rajyam Party president K Chiranjeevi allegedly led by YSR Congress Party activists during the by-elections campaign in Kadapa, Rajya Sabha member and Congress senior leader V Hanumantha Rao on Sunday described the incidents as an insult to democracy.

Talking to media persons at Lal Bahadur Stadium in the city, the senior leader expressing concern over the attacks on activists alleged owing allegiance to YSR Congress Party president YS Jaganmohan Reddy. He said that the YSR Congress Party was resorting to these types of attacks since it is apprehensive that it will lose the by-elections.

The Rajya Sabha member said that, “these types of incidents are not good in democracy. The people will lose confidence on democratic institutions if such incidents continue.” Mr Hanumantha Rao added, “if the situations continue like this, the constituency might become another Bihar state.”

He appealed to the Election Commission and government to take effective measures to prevent such attacks on the candidates or other leaders who are campaigning and arrest the guilty. Mr Hanumantha Rao also appealed to the Election Commission and police department to ensure that peaceful environment prevails in the constituency so that people could exercise their votes in a free and fair environment.

Expressing confidence that the Congress candidates, will win the by-elections, he added that the people of constituency will not repose their faith in Mr Jaganmohan Reddy for his rampant corruption and for entering into a secret alliance with the communal Bharatiya Janata Party.