Anantapur, December 29: Two groups of Congressmen came to blows and ransacked the district Congress committee office here today, marring the party’s 125th Foundation Day celebrations here today.
As the tension spilled out of the office premises, merchants in the neighbourhood downed the shutters of their shops and establishments while people on the road ran helter-skelter fearing for life.
The clash between the two groups, followers of former minister JC Diwakar Reddy and led by his brother and former Tadipatri municipal vice-chairman JC Prabhakar Reddy, and followers of former MLA K Mohan Reddy, marred the Congress party’s 125th Formation Day celebrations at the DCC office.
Prabhakar Reddy’s group arrived at the place first, followed by Mohan Reddy’ group. With recent differences between both the groups, they got into heated arguments when they came face to face. In no time did it escalate into violence with both groups exchanging blows and damaging the furniture.
The differences between both groups cropped up when former MLA Mohan Reddy accused JC Diwakar Reddy of working against him during the 2009 election.
Diwakar Reddy, however, denied the allegation.
Ministers N Raghuveera Reddy and S Sailajanath, reached the DCC office after sometime and pacified the warring groups.
–Agencies