Atmakur Protests: Chandrababu Naidu, Son Nara Lokesh Put Under House Arrest

Former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and his son Nara Lokesh were put under house arrest over the mega Atmakur rally called by the Telugu Desam Party against ruling Jagan Mohan Reddy government in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday. The TDP has accused the ruling YSR Congress Party of indulging into political violence after coming to power in May. It has alleged that the cadres of the YSRCP have killed as many as eight of its party workers and have attacked many more. The party had claimed that the violent acts have risen in Palnadu region of the state since the declaration of Andhra Pradesh Assembly election results.

Apart from top TDP leadership, former party MLA Tangirala Sowmya has also been placed under house arrest at Nandigama town in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh after Sowmya and other TDP leaders sat on protest in front of her house for party's ‘Chalo Atmakur’ rally against YSRCP.

To counter TDP’s rally, the ruling YSR Congress has also planned a massive protest. The Jagan Mohan Reddy-led party says that the previous government had unleased violence against its cadre. The YSRCP has asked people in Atmakur district and Palanadu, seen to be worst affected by violence, to come forward and share their complaints. Both Naidu and his political rival have given a call for a march today to Atmakur, 240 km from Amaravati. Senior YSRCP leader Ambati Rambabu said that, “To counter the false propaganda of the TDP, the YSRC will also organise ‘Chalo Atmakur’ rally on the same day (Wednesday) during which the victims of harassment by former TDP ministers, MLAs and the former Assembly Speaker will narrate their tales and show the world how the then ruling party (TDP) had harassed YSRC leaders and supporters.’’

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Home Minister M Sucharita said that the Opposition party has not taken any permission for launching the Chalo Atmakur programme. "If anybody applies for the permission, the government will consider it and will make a decision," she added

Apart from top TDP leadership, former party MLA Tangirala Sowmya has also been placed under house arrest at Nandigama town in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh after Sowmya and other TDP leaders sat on protest in front of her house for party's ‘Chalo Atmakur’ rally against YSRCP.

The YSRCP got an absolute majority in 175-member strong Assembly. The party won 151 seats out of 175, while TDP's strength was drastically reduced from 102 in the 2014 Assembly elections to a mere 23.

HIGHLIGHTS

• YSR Congress got bumper victory in Andhra Pradesh Assembly Polls.
• It won 151 of 175 assembly and 22 of 25 Lok Sabha seats in the state.
• TDP alleges YSRCP cadre killed as many as eight party workers since polls.