Ex-corporator of Vijayawada attacked by YSRCP 'goondas': Naidu

Hyderabad: Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP national president N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday strongly condemned what he called a brutal attack on former corporator of Vijayawada Municipal Corporation Chennupati Gandhi by suspected YSRCP activists.

After visiting Mr. Gandhi, who is undergoing treatment at the LV Prasad Eye Hospital in Hyderabad, Mr. Naidu, in a press note, said the TDP will stand by the family members of the former corporator. Chennupati Gandhi, who was seriously injured in an attack in Vijayawada on Sunday, was shifted to the LV Prasad Eye Hospital in Hyderabad for better treatment.

"The attack on the former corporator of the TDP is atrocious and a wicked act resorted to by the YSRCP goondas. The state has never witnessed such barbaric acts," Mr. Naidu said. The TDP national president said Vijayawada, which was once known for violence, had transformed into a peaceful city after he became the chief minister. But, after the YSRCP came to power in 2019, the city again started witnessing such violent activities, he observed.

Mr. Naidu warned of serious consequences if the ruling party remains silent on such activities. After Jagan Mohan Reddy became the Chief Minister, the state has been witnessing brutal activities like murders, he added. He questioned how the police commissioner can make such a statement that the attack on Mr. Chennupati Gandhi was out of some emotion. "Will you react in the same manner if someone attacks you and damages your sight? It is nothing but indirectly supporting those involved in the violence," he said.

The police who should file an attempt-to-murder case against the accused are indirectly supporting them, Mr. Naidu alleged and suspected Jagan's support for the attackers. He warned the state government of serious consequences if such acts are repeated and said the TDP will no longer tolerate such inhuman and undemocratic activities.