What lockdown, YCP MLA Roja greeted with rose petals, inaugurates borewell

Chittoor, April 21: Nagari MLA and APIIC chief R.K. Roja of the ruling YSR Congress Party came under criticism from netizens for defying the lockdown norms and violating social distancing. She drew the ire for inaugurating a bore well and distributing groceries to the needy with pomp and show in Puttur town of Chittoor district on Tuesday. A video of her being greeted by rose petals has drawn flake.

It is to note, this comes a day after, a young man died in Guntur district of AP, due to alleged police brutality. A 33-year-old man collapsed on the road and later died at a hospital on April 20^th, after he was beaten up by sleuths of Andhra Pradesh police. The man reportedly stepped out to buy medicines for his father at Sattenapalle in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh.

A day after this incident the MLA Roja was seen inaugurating a 'new bore well', she also distributed groceries to them. In a video, the villagers showered flower petals at her feet as she entered the village.

Netizens criticized MLA Roja for not only violating lockdown norms but also indulging in self- promotion in the midst of crisis. This is the third such instance where the MLA has drawn flak for self-promotion. It may be recalled how a tractor rally by Srikalahasti MLA, B. Madhusudhan Reddy resulted in some officials testing positive for coronavirus.

The Chilakaluripeta MLA, Vidadala Rajini was also criticized for hiring a professional photographer and videographer to cover her charity activity. The pictures and photos are being widely circulated on social media.

These acts of grandstanding have also put the YSR Congress in a tight spot.