Political heat simmers at Puttaparthi | YSRCP, TDP leaders challenge each other to prove allegations
The Hindu
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) national general secretary Nara Lokesh’s allegations of corruption against sitting Puttaparthi YSRCP MLA Duddukunta Sridhar Reddy ignited a political controversy in the Constituency with leaders from both the parties challenging each other to prove the allegations, but it took a violent turn on April 1 with both Mr. Sridhar Reddy and former TDP MLA Palle Raghunath Reddy agreeing to meet at Satthemma Temple in the town to sort it out.
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) national general secretary Nara Lokesh’s allegations of corruption against sitting Puttaparthi YSRCP MLA Duddukunta Sridhar Reddy ignited a political controversy in the Constituency with leaders from both the parties challenging each other to prove the allegations, but it took a violent turn on April 1 with both Mr. Sridhar Reddy and former TDP MLA Palle Raghunath Reddy agreeing to meet at Satthemma Temple in the town to sort it out.
Sitting MLA Sridhar Reddy came to the temple at around 10 a.m. and after darshan came out of the temple to wait for the former Minister and whip Palle Raghunath Reddy, but the Sri Sathya Sai District police put Mr. Raghunath Reddy under house arrest. Despite tight security, the TDP leader with the support of his followers, climbed to the top floor of his building and jumped onto the neighbouring roof and made his way to the Satthemma Temple and sat on the road.
At this junction, followers of both the leaders began hurling slippers and coconut shells from both the sides. There were no reports of severe injuries to anyone, but the police had a tough time to bring the situation under control. A police vehicle was also damaged. “The police ironically only arrested Mr. Raghunath Reddy and whisked him away from the spot,” leaving the YSRC MLA.
The Telugu Desam Party workers sat on a dharna in front of the police station protesting against the arrest of Mr. Raghunatha Reddy. Both parties took out rallies in the town to prove their view point on the sensational comments made by Mr. Nara Lokesh on the development of the Puttaparthi Constituency.
The Opposition Congress demanded that the government open the Gandhi Vatika Museum, depicting Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and freedom struggle, built at a cost of ₹85 crore in Jaipur’s Central Park last year, during the Congress-led regime in Rajasthan. The museum has not been opened to the public, reportedly because of the administration’s engagements with the State Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
Almaya Munnettam (Lay People to the Fore), group in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church opposed to the synod-recommended Mass, rejected a circular issued by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil and apostolic administrator Bosco Puthur on June 9 to implement the unified Mass in the archdiocese from July 3.
Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten stated that “not so great decision making” contributed to his side’s defeat to India in the Group-A T20 World Cup clash here on Sunday. The batting unit came apart in the chase, after being well placed at 72 for two. With 48 runs needed from eight overs, Pakistan found a way to panic and lose. “Maybe not so great decision making,” Kirsten said at the post-match press conference, when asked to explain the loss.