BRS MP Kotha Prabhakar Reddy stabbed in stomach during campaign in Telangana’s Siddipet
While BRS calls it as a poll violence, Congress quoted this as the 'Kodi Kathi' incident
By Sri Lakshmi Muttevi Published on 30 Oct 2023 11:03 AM GMT
Telangana: Telangana BRS MP Kotha Prabhakar Reddy was stabbed on Monday when he was campaigning in Surampalli village of Daultabad Siddipet district. The MP was walking towards a pastor’s home when the attack took place.
A man named Raju walked up to him, and it seemed like he wanted to shake hands with the leader. But he suddenly pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the stomach.
The incident has sparked another controversy in the political waters as the attacker recently moved from the Congress to BJP party. His Facebook photos indicate that he joined BJP party in the presence of BJP MLA Raghunandan Rao.
The attacker was caught and beaten by the BRS workers at the rally. He was identified as Raju of Cheppyala village. Sources said he worked as a reporter for a local news app earlier and is now working for a YouTube channel.
Minister Harish Rao strongly condemned the assassination attempt on Medak MP and Dubbaka BRS candidate Kota Prabhakar Reddy. While BRS calls it as a poll violence, Congress quoted this as the 'Kodi Kathi' incident.
The MP was immediately rushed to the Gajwel Hospital, from where is shifted to Yasoda Hospitals, Secunderabad.
A health bulletin was released by Yashoda Hospitals, Secunderabad.
“The assailant has been taken into custody. We are verifying his details and the investigation is under process,” said Siddipet commissioner of police N Swetha.
Reddy was recently announced as the BRS candidate from Dubbaka to take on sitting BJP MLA Raghunandan in the November 30 polls. He became an MP after chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao gave up the seat in 2014 to contest in the Assembly elections.
Responding to the incident, Governor Dr.Tamilisai Soundararajan expressed shocked over the stabbing incident.
"Violence has no place in democracy, and such incidents are a threat to the democratic process. I direct the Director General of Police to take stringent measures to investigate and ensure the safety of contesting candidates and campaigners during the election period. It is essential to maintain a peaceful and secure environment for free and fair elections," said Governor in a statement.
