Tirupati: TDP activists pelt stones at Amit Shah's convoy

Tension prevailed at Alipiri in Tirupati when Telugu Desam Party (TDP) workers on Friday staged a protest against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah on his way to Renigunta airport from Tirumala hills and a stone was pelted at his convoy.

The stone-pelting on one of the vehicles in the convoy of the BJP leader sparked off tension at Alipiri in Tirupati, sources said.

TDP activists demanded the Centre to immediately fulfill all promises made to Andhra Pradesh in the Reorganisation Act, 2014, and also accord special category status to the state.

Following the attack, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu criticised the workers and warned them that such acts of indiscipline would not to be tolerated.

Naidu was holding a meeting of party leaders at Amaravati. His Deputy Chief Minister (Home) N Chinna Rajappa told reporters that some "unidentified miscreants" hurled a stone that hit one of the vehicles in Shah's convoy.

"No stone hit Shah's vehicle. The stone hit another vehicle behind Shah's car.We don't know yet if some miscreants posing as TDP workers resorted to this act," he said in a statement.

"Dont bring disrepute to the party by such acts of indiscipline. Everybody should act in a disciplined manner. There is no place for clashes or tensions in our just struggle," Naidu said.

Tirupati Urban Superintendent of Police Abhishek Mohanty told PTI that they were investigating the incident.
         
"BJP leaders have lodged a complaint with us over the attack. We have got only preliminary information and we are verifying all facts," he said.
         
The BJP president arrived in Tirupati late Thursday after wrapping up his over a month-long election campaign in Karnataka.

He then offered prayers at the Lord Venkateswara shrine in Tirumala in the morning. The alleged incident happened when Shah was returning from Tirumala.
         
The TDP had cut ties with the BJP, alleging neglect of the southern state and failure of the Centre to grant special category state status to Andhra Pradesh.

The TDP said that Centre failed to fulfill its commitments toward Andhra Pradesh, after the state was bifurcated in 2014.

Where is Alipiri | Five facts about Alipiri

1. Alipiri is a holy place in the state of Andhra Pradesh

2. It is located at the foot of seven hills of Tirumala in Tirupati, the pilgrim city of Sri Venkateswara Swami

3. It is the starting place for trekking to Tirumala Venkateswara Temple.

4. Alipiri is also called the 'The Gate Way to Tirumala Venkateswara Temple'

5. In ancient days, pilgrims used to climb all the seven hills through the stepped way on foot.