TDP national president and former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu described the upcoming Tirupati by-election as a golden opportunity for the people to put a full stop to the atrocities of the Jaganmohan Reddy government.
Naidu asserted that for defeating the YSRCP, Tirupati should become the correct forum from where the people should deliver a historic verdict. “The Tirupati bypoll should serve as the first test for a referendum on the YSRCP misrule. The voters should send a message to the entire country from here,” he said.
Addressing a meeting of party Tirupati parliamentary segment leaders, the TDP chief said that the revolt had begun against the misdeeds of the Jagan regime and there has been an increasingly good response to the TDP protests everywhere. The young generation was actively coming forward to agitate against the ruling party. The success of Ramatheertham visit and Bhogi bonfire protests were clear indications of rising anti-establishment feelings.
Naidu accused the Andhra Pradesh DGP of acting under the direction of CM Jagan and as per the script of Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy without abiding by the laws of the land. On Bhogi day, the DGP said mad men were responsible for the temple attacks but he changed his statement on Kanuma and attributed them to the Opposition parties. The government was complacent till 150 attacks took place on the temples and idols, he added.
The TDP chief said that the whole state had seen how the Kodi Kathi case and the Viveka murder cases took place. Attempts were made to protect the very culprits by terming Viveka’s murder as a heart attack death. Even in the Kodi Kathi case, false allegations were made against the TDP. In the recent Ramatheertham incident, a physical attack was made on Suri Babu who was also implicated. The Government failed to prevent the temple attacks and started mudslinging on the TDP.
Naidu deplored that the YSRCP activists actually responsible for the temple attacks were being saved from the cases. But those who were exposing these attacks out of devotion were being implicated. No cases were on those who were demolishing the idols. Cases were filed against the TDP leaders for visiting Ramatheertham while there was no case against Vijay Sai Reddy and YSRCP leaders who provoked the crowds.
Naidu demanded the government to explain whether the TDP was responsible for the attack on the priest at Omkara Kshetram in Kurnool district. “Everybody knew who whipped the sons of the priest. Priest Srinivasa Chakravarthy attempted suicide at Chirala due to lack of salaries for the last 3 months. Nobody knew how the silver lions disappeared from Kanaka Durga temple chariot and how the Antarvedi and Konda Bitragunta temple chariots were burnt. The government owes an explanation to the people on the incidents at Simhadri Appanna Temple, Srikalahasti, Annavaram and Kanipakam.”