Political leaders who attack govt officials will not be spared: Andhra Dy CM

Kadapa: Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Saturday warned that any political leader who "attacks" or "obstructs" a government official on duty will face stern action.

He issued this warning after visiting a Dalit government official who was allegedly attacked by a local YSRCP leader C Sudarshan Reddy.

"If you (political leaders) attack officials with arrogance, we will ensure you receive fitting punishment," Kalyan told reporters outside Kadapa RIMS Hospital.

According to Kalyan, Sudarshan Reddy, along with several others, allegedly attacked and abused Gaaliveedu Mandal Parishad Development Officer (MPDO) Jawahar Babu in Annamayya district, for refusing to hand over the keys to an official room.

Besides locking Babu in a room and thrashing him, casteist slurs were hurled at him, along with 'death threats', Kalyan said.

He claimed that Sudharshan Reddy has a history of attacking officials, mentioning that he had targeted officials like Sekhar Naik, Pratap, and Srinivas Reddy, in the past.

Castigating the YSRCP, Kalyan said the party leaders' arrogance had not diminished even after being reduced to 11 seats and urged YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to rein them in.

The Deputy Chief Minister further warned YSRCP leaders and other political figures that attacks on government officials would not be tolerated. Kalyan instructed senior district officials to ensure that such incidents do not recur.