Date:13/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/13/stories/2005051312450400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Paritala kin not to be harmed: Suri

Staff Reporter

Two Congress sarpanches quit in protest

ANANTAPUR: The key accused in the Paritala Ravindra murder case, G. Suryanarayana Reddy alias Suri, has said that he will not harm family members of Ravindra.

Reacting to mediamen's questions at the district courts complex here on Thursday, where he was brought in connection with a 1995 criminal case, Suri sounded bitter on the petition moved by family members of Ravindra in the Supreme Court seeking his shifting to a jail outside the State.

"Does everything happen as per their wish? It's not fair. Attempt to influence court is not good," he said. On the selection of Boya Sriramulu as Congress candidate for the Penukonda byelection, Suri said he was not pained by the decision and added that he would work for victory of Sriramulu.

On the reported differences with the Panchayat Raj Minister, J.C. Diwakar Reddy, Suri denied having any differences.

Voice of dissent

Meanwhile, the selection of Mr. Sriramulu has caused heartburn among a section of partymen in the constituency, particularly loyalists of Mrs. Bhanumati.

The sarpanches of Tagarakunta and Maddelacheruvu -- Ganesh and Narayana Reddy -- quit party membership as well as their elected posts and faxed resignation letters to the DCC president, A. Venkatarami Reddy, in protest. On the other hand, the Minister for Animal Husbandry, G. Surya Rao, appealed to partymen to work united to ensure Mr. Sriramulu's victory. At a party meeting held at DCC office here, he said the selection was unanimous decision of the party high command and every party worker should abide by it.

The candidate was chosen with consent of G. Bhanumati, S. Gangadhar and the DCC, the Minister said, and hoped that development achieved by the Government in one year would ensure a victory.

Mr. Sriramulu was present at the meeting.

Suri produced in court

Earlier, Suri was produced in the Additional Assistant Sessions Court here in the 1995 cases of attempt on the life of the then VAO of Maddelacheruvu and attack on his son at Kalyanadurg. During hearing, the father and son, K. Laxminarayana Rao and K. Sambasiva Rao, denied that they were attacked, and said the police had registered suo motu cases.