Hyderabad, September 29: Several TDP MLAs from Telangana region were injured when they clashed with the police after they were prevented from entering the Banswada assembly constituency here on Thursday.
The clash took place near Basvapur of Bikanoor mandal. All 32 members TDP MLAs from the region, who submitted their resignations from the posts on Wednesday, took up bus yatra for Banswada assembly constituency where by-elections are scheduled to be held on October 13. They were demanding that all parties boycott the by-polls till the formation of Telangana.
However, the police stopped the bus-yatra midway and did not allow MLAs to enter the constituency citing law and order problem. The MLAs along with their supporters protested and staged a sit-in-dharna on Ramalayampeta highway blocking the traffic. The Forum members had a heated argument with the police.
Later, when the Forum members attempted to took out padayatra from the highway, the police arrested all the members and shifted them to Ramalayampeta police station. However, the MLAs have alleged that they were beaten up by the police personnel. TDP Telangana Forum convenor Errabelli Dayakar Rao almost fell unconscious. Besides condemning the police action, the Forum members also raised slogans against Telangana Rashtra Samithi​ president K Chandrasekhar Rao.
Earlier, the Telangana activists stoned the bus carrying TDP MLAs when it was on the way to Banswada constituency. A police inspector sustained head injuries while trying to save the MLAs from stone pelting. The police arrested a few Telangana activists.
Later, talking to reporters Dayakar Rao condemned the police action. He said that the TDP MLAs have taken up the bus yatra to appeal for boycott of by-elections in Banswada. He asked Pocharam Srinivas not to contest the elections and honour his promise of boycoting elections till formation of separate state. Only by creating constitutional crisis in the region, the separate Telangana state can be achieved, he stated.
Errabelli said that the Forum has no objection for keeping Hyderabad as common capital for Seemandhra and Telangana for five years. He said that the Forum would not cow down to imposition of President’s rule in the state and continue its statehood agitation.
MLA Motkupalli Narasimhulu alleged that TRS chief KCR, in the name of by-elections, was making efforts to increase his strength in the region. (INN)