Vijayawada, Sep 21: Tension prevailed in Vijayawada as the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) staged a protest demanding an inquiry into alleged irregularities in DSC sports quota recruitment and the resignation of Minister Nara Lokesh.
Heavy Police Deployment in Vijayawada
The YSRCP had called for a protest near the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) office at the Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium. Following the protest call, police deployed heavy security across several parts of the city.
Barricades were erected at Red Circle, Labbipet and other areas to prevent YSRCP leaders and workers from proceeding towards the SAAP office, party leaders alleged. Police reportedly cited the enforcement of Section 30 and said permission had not been granted for the rally.
YSRCP Leaders Question Police Restrictions
YSRCP leaders questioned why they were being stopped when they had called for a peaceful protest. Former minister Jogi Ramesh and former MLA Malladi Vishnu expressed their opposition to the police restrictions and questioned the action taken by the authorities.
Party sources said that Malladi Vishnu was arrested by the police during the protests.
Kona Raghupathi Stopped on Way to Vijayawada
Meanwhile, in Bapatla district, police reportedly stopped former Deputy Speaker Kona Raghupathi at Chundurupalli while he was travelling to Vijayawada to attend the protest.
He was subsequently taken to a police station, according to information available from party sources.
Notices Issued to YSRCP Leaders in Krishna District
In Krishna district too, police reportedly issued notices to YSRCP leaders asking them not to attend the protest.
Party sources said police personnel were deployed near the YSRCP district office in Machilipatnam as a precautionary measure.
YSRCP Alleges Presence of TDP Workers
The YSRCP also alleged that TDP leaders and workers had gathered near the SAAP office during the protest.
The opposition party demanded a comprehensive inquiry and a CBI investigation into the alleged irregularities in DSC sports quota recruitment. It also called for an end to what it described as attempts to suppress its protest.
