Date:04/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/04/stories/2008120460340600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

PR groups clash in Kurnool

Special Correspondent

Terming of Bhuma Nagireddy as factionalist angers him and his supporters
Nagireddy accused of advising an activist to be cautious of attack any time

KURNOOL: Unruly scenes were witnessed at Praja Rajyam office here on Wednesday when two groups of the party clashed over treatment of leaders belonging to weaker sections.

Party observers -- Rehaman, Jnanendra Reddy and Maradani Ranga Rao -- were shocked at the turn of the events. As the party observers arrived at the party office to hold a meeting of workers from Kurnool division, a group of party activists comprising K.G. Govinda Reddy, Tyagaraju, Ranga Sai and others raised slogans against the party observers targeting former MP Bhuma Nagireddy.

Their grouse was that Mr. Bhuma Nagireddy was hijacking the party leadership in the district. Terming of Mr. Bhuma Nagireddy as a factionalist angered him and his supporters. The protesters were then invited into the office for talks with the observers.

Later, Dr. Govinda Reddy registered his serious protest with the party observers saying that Mr. Nagireddy tried to intimidate him. According to Dr. Reddy, Mr. Nagireddy had advised him to move in bullet proof vehicle as bullets might hit him any time.

Earlier, the PR leaders confronted the police too, as the latter objected to construction of a staircase to the party office through the shopping complex owned by the Police Department. The party office had a staircase from both sides. The shopkeeper who took the shop on lease from the Police Department allowed the PR leaders to construct the staircase. The police objected to it saying the leaseholder did not have the right to allow constructions. The police arrived at the place and locked the shop.