Amidst high political drama, the Congress and Telugu Desam Party on Monday held simultaneous dharnas near the district collectorate accusing each other of being involved in the multi-crore liquor scam.
Despite denial of permission by the police, hundreds of TDP workers led by party president N Chandrababu Naidu took out a rally from former minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju’s residence to the NTR Statue. However, they were prevented by the police from proceeding further. Consequently, Naidu and TDP workers staged dharna for about two hours seeking police permission to hold protest.
After high political drama, the police granted permission to the TDP to hold protest near the Collectorate. After garlanding the NTR’s statue, Naidu went in a rally to the district collectorate. Addressing the gathering, Naidu alleged that the ruling Congress party was trying to suppress the voice of opposition using police forces. He also alleged of misbehavior by some police officials.
Naidu demanded that the State Government gives free hand to the Anti-Corruption Bureau in investigating the liquor syndicate scam and later the ACB report should be made public. He also accused Pradesh Congress Committee president Botsa Satyanarayana of having nexus with the liquor syndicate. Demanding that Botsa disclose his assets, he alleged that the PCC chief was involved in several corrupt practices.
Meanwhile, hundreds of Congress workers led by DCC president K Veerabhadra Swamy, Stamps and Registration Minister Thota Narasimhulu, MLAs Botsa Appula Narasaiah, Appula Naidu and Rajanna Dora took out a rally from NCS Theatre to the district Collectorate.
Talking to reporters, Veerabhadra Swamy alleged that several TDP leaders were involved in the liquor scam. He said Naidu has no moral right to criticise the ruling party before taking action against his own party men. He said it was ridiculous that Naidu who lifted total prohibition imposed by late NT Rama Rao was now talking against the liquor syndicate. (INN)