Telangana: BJP workers damage BRS MLA's car over remarks against union minister

BJP workers on Thursday allegedly damaged the vehicle of BRS MLA P Kaushik Reddy in Karimnagar over his inappropriate remarks against Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar. Condemning the attack by Kumars alleged supporters, BRS working president K T Rama Rao said it is highly deplorable that the men intruded into the camp office like goons, damaging the office and vehicles.

BJP workers on Thursday allegedly damaged the vehicle of BRS MLA P Kaushik Reddy in Karimnagar over his ''inappropriate'' remarks against Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar. Condemning the attack by Kumar's alleged supporters, BRS working president K T Rama Rao said it is highly deplorable that the men intruded into the camp office like goons, damaging the office and vehicles. Kumar, the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, however, said the BRS introduced the culture of attacks in Telangana. Kaushik Reddy alleged that the attack was an ''attempt to murder'' him. According to police, the BJP workers also damaged flower pots and smashed windows of the camp office of former minister and MLA Gangula Kamalakar, where Kaushik Reddy held a press conference. The incident took place after Kaushik Reddy, legislator from the Huzurabad constituency, allegedly made inappropriate comments against the union minister. Angered over the remarks, the BJP workers gathered at the camp office and damaged his vehicle. A video showed a group of men attacking the vehicle. Police resorted to lathi charge to disperse them. Police also prevented the BJP workers from entering the building where Kaushik Reddy was present. Several BJP workers were picked up in connection with the incident, police said. Police personnel were deployed at politically sensitive places, a senior police official told PTI, adding that the situation was brought under control. Kumar represents the Karimnagar Lok Sabha constituency. Meanwhile, at Huzurabad, police dispersed BJP workers, who allegedly attempted to attack the office of Kaushik Reddy. The situation is peaceful and under control now, a police official said. Hitting out at Kumar for his comments on May 4 against Rama Rao, Kaushik Reddy alleged ''political match-fixing'' between the union minister and Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy during his press conference and made other remarks against Kumar. Responding to Rama Rao's allegations regarding a land issue, Kumar challenged him on May 4 to produce proof within 48 hours. Rama Rao, in his statement on Thursday, claimed that Kumar has consistently tried to cover up CM Reddy's failures and has done nothing for the people of Karimnagar. Speaking to reporters in Hyderabad, Kumar said he was attending an official programme and learned about the incident much later. Observing that the MLA's camp office was built with government funds, he said it is wrong to make intemperate remarks in a political press conference in the building. ''There is a limit to the patience of our workers. Patience should not be mistaken as timidity. KCR's son should be ashamed to call it an attack. When BRS was in power, BJP and ABVP activists used to be put under house arrest,'' he said. During a 'pada yatra' undertaken by him during BRS regime, BJP's women activists were beaten up after being taken away by BRS workers, he alleged. He said he does not support any attacks, but there is a limit to the patience of BJP activists. He also said he has already asked his party workers to stay away from any attacks on political rivals.