TL-POLLS-LD REVANTH (MES3)

Telangana Congress Working

President A Revanth Reddy, who had given a bandh call to

protest against TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao's public meeting

in Kodangal assembly constituency, was taken into preventive

custody early Tuesday.

"He (Revanth) has been taken into preventive custody in

view of apprehension of disturbance of public order and breach

of security," Additional Director General of Police (Law and

Order) Jitender told PTI.

"He will be released (later) during the day," he said.

He was picked up from his residence in Kodangal town of

Vikarabad district early this morning, police said.

Revanth, the Congress candidate for Kodangal constituency

had called for a shutdown to protest against Rao's scheduled

meeting at Kosigi in the assembly segment this evening.

Revanth's wife, Geeta accused the police of breaking

open the doors of their house and forcibly taking away her

husband to an "unknown location".

Many of his followers were also taken into custody

from different locations.

The incident drew sharp criticism from Congress which

alleged that the caretaker chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao

was acting like a CM of a state "under emergency."

"The caretaker chief minister (KCR) is showing authority

more than a regular chief minister. We are condemning the

incident.

Though he is only a caretaker chief minister, he is

performing duties as though it (state) was under emergency,"

AICC spokesperson S Jaipal Reddy told reporters here.

AICC In charge of Telangana RC Khuntia, who was present

at the press meet said Rao was afraid of Congress leaders and

foisted false cases against them.

"He (Rao) is creating an emergency like situation in the

state. We are going to file case with the Election Commission

on the incident," he said.

On Saturday night, police had carried out raids at the

Congress leader's residences following which he had given

a protest call.

Prohibitory orders have been imposed in Kodangal town

to prevent any untoward incidents in view of KCR's election

rally.

Earlier, some TRS leaders had lodged a complaint with

Telangana Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Rajat Kumar,

alleging that Revanth was threatening to disturb Rao's

campaign, following which instructions were issued to the

police to ensure smooth conduct of the meeting.

Telangana Congress Chief Uttam Kumar Reddy condemned the

police action and alleged that the election officials and

police were behaving in a "partial manner".

He also sought to know about the status of the complaint

made to the Election Commission against TRS candidate of

Kondangal segment, Narender Reddy with regard to alleged

recovery of cash from him last week.

"Highly condemnable that Telangana Police arrested

Congress Working President & Kodangal MLA Revanth Reddy at 3am

today. This is what happens when you question Govt. for not

implementing promises," TPCC said in a tweet.

In his reaction, Chevella MP Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, who

had recently joined Congress from TRS, termed the preventive

detention as "murder of democracy," adding it exposes the

panic in TRS ahead of the December 7 Assembly polls.

"People will not tolerate such autocratic behaviour and

will give a fitting reply by voting against the ruling party,"

Reddy said.

In September, the income tax department had conducted

searches at the residences of Revanth Reddy here.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)