TDP chief asks what better reason needed to invoke Article 356
AP CM and DGP jointly masterminded mob attacks
Naidu calls for AP bandh on Wednesday
AMARAVATI: TDP National President and former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday described the ruling YSRCP mob attacks on their party offices as purely ‘State-sponsored terrorism’ on democracy and a ghastly attempt to stifle the voice of the main opposition Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh.
Naidu termed it as an indication of the total deterioration of law and order, and the attacks were because of the TDP’s courageous struggle against the Government’s drug mafia, corruption and frauds. He asked whether a better reason was required to invoke Article 356 to impose President’s Rule in the State. The DGP Office was located just 100 yards from the TDP Central Office, which was attacked and ransacked by the YSRCP goons. Three TDP activists suffered severe bleeding injuries and were admitted to intensive care.
Addressing a press conference here, the TDP chief said that the police did not try to prevent the attacks despite the fact that the TDP Central Office was located nearer to the Chief Minister’s Tadepalli residence and the AP Police Headquarters. “I personally called DGP at 5.03 pm but he did not pick up the phone. Our party office staff called the local police station but in vain. The attack finally took place at 5.16 p.m. This was totally a result of the collusion of the Government and the AP police.”
Chandrababu Naidu alleged that Chief Minister Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy and DGP Gautam Sawang jointly masterminded the latest vandal attacks just as they have been targetting the opposition for the past two and half years. These attacks were only intended to terrorise the TDP leaders and cadres so that they would stop agitating against the Government’s atrocities and lawlessness. But that would not happen and the TDP would continue its struggles against oppression and suppression in all forms.
Naidu announced that their party would observe ‘AP bandh’ on Wednesday in protest against the terror tactics of the Jagan Reddy regime. He appealed to all sections of people to voluntarily take part in the bandh and express their protest against the atrocities and misdeeds of the ruling YSRCP leaders. This was not the sole problem of the TDP but something concerning the democratic rights of the people as a whole.
The TDP chief said that the Governor and the Union Minister answered his call when he sought to explain about the attacks. But the AP DGP had no time to lift the call made by the AP Opposition Leader. Drunken rowdy mobs were sent to attack and create terror at the TDP Central Office in Mangalagiri. This was an unpardonable crime to attack the office of a political party which was the principal opposition in the State.
Naidu asked how the CM and the DGP could save law and order all over the State when they could not prevent mob attacks in the areas located nearer to their own offices and residences. The YCP Government and the AP Police were jointly presiding over a terror rule in the State. The DGP should resign and go home if he cannot ensure law and order and peace to the people.
