High tension continues as BRS leaders house arrested, security deployed
Hyderabad: Tensions are high following recent events involving Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders. Former Minister T. Harish Rao was released from detention last night, but a heavy police presence continues. This morning, September 13, 2024, police were stationed outside several BRS leaders’ residences, including Harish Rao’s in Hyderabad. MLA Padi Kaushik Reddy and Shambipur Raju were barred from going to Arekapudi Gandhi’s residence and were confined to their homes. Section 144 was imposed at Shambipur Raju’s house. Meanwhile, police are also stationed at Arekapudi Gandhi’s residence to ensure his safety amid the ongoing conflict.
Harish Rao’s social media statement
Harish Rao addressed the situation on ‘X,’ previously known as Twitter, criticising the handling of the unrest. He stated, “I was placed under house arrest in Hyderabad. Police are stationed around my house, while our party leaders and workers are being detained across the state. Is this what people’s rule looks like? Is this how Indiramma’s rule is being implemented? It’s a disgrace!” Harish Rao accused Revanth Reddy of undermining democracy and alleged that attackers were allowed to go free while his supporters faced arrests and intimidation.
హైదరాబాదులో నన్ను హౌస్ అరెస్టు చేశారు. నా ఇంటి చుట్టూ పోలీసులను మోహరించారు.
మరోవైపు రాష్ట్ర వ్యాప్తంగా ఎక్కడికక్కడ మా పార్టీ నాయకులు, కార్యకర్తలను ముందస్తు అరెస్టులు చేస్తున్నరు.
ఇదేనా ప్రజా పాలన, ఇదేనా ఇందిరమ్మ రాజ్యం.
సిగ్గు సిగ్గు..ప్రజాస్వామ్యాన్ని ఖూనీ చేస్తున్నావు… pic.twitter.com/XfXy8dIFHh
— Harish Rao Thanneeru (@BRSHarish) September 13, 2024
Protest and detention
Former Minister T. Harish Rao was briefly detained at Kesampet Police Station last night during a protest organised by him and other BRS leaders. The protest was held in reaction to an alleged attack on the residence of BRS MLA Padi Kaushik Reddy. This incident reportedly involved supporters of Arekapudi Gandhi, who recently defected to another party, intensifying the political war.
Protest at Cyberabad Police Commissioner’s office
On Thursday, several senior BRS leaders, including former ministers T. Harish Rao and Vemula Prashanth Reddy, were detained while protesting at the Cyberabad Police Commissioner’s office. The protest was a reaction to an alleged attack on Huzurabad MLA Padi Kaushik Reddy by Congress workers led by Serilingampally MLA Arekapudi Gandhi.
Demand for action
After the attack, leaders of the BRS, including Harish Rao, P. Sabitha Indra Reddy, and Prashanth Reddy, gathered at Kaushik Reddy’s residence and then went to the Cyberabad Police Commissioner’s office. They demanded action from the police officers whom they claimed had failed to stop the attack and insisted on the immediate arrest of Arekapudi Gandhi and his supporters.
After their request to meet with Police Commissioner Avinash Mohanty was denied, the leaders staged a protest outside his office. They demanded disciplinary action against the local Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and the Inspector for their alleged neglect. Later, they were permitted to file a formal complaint with Joint Commissioner (Traffic) Joel Davis.
Rising tensions
The conflict began when MLA Kaushik Reddy challenged Arekapudi Gandhi to hoist the BRS flag at his residence by 11 a.m. or face consequences. Arekapudi Gandhi responded by threatening to visit Kaushik Reddy’s home himself if Reddy did not comply.
The conflict began with Gandhi’s recent appointment as PAC chairman after he defected to BRS. Kaushik Reddy spoke about the need to disqualify ten MLAs who had defected, including Gandhi. He also publicly challenged them to either resign or face public disgrace.
The situation intensified as Gandhi and his supporters camped outside Kaushik Reddy’s house, demanding his presence or forced entry.
Insane number of police vehicles parked outside the gated community where former minister and BRS MLA Harish Rao lives!
The community is basically in a lockdown. There are other people in the community isn’t that an unnecessary hassle for them?
And! For what joy??!! To… pic.twitter.com/bXkR2ZVy9w
— Revathi (@revathitweets) September 13, 2024
