TDP leaders led by Kurnool Urban Development Authority (KUDA) chairman Somisetta Venkateswarlu protested against the alleged attack on their party cadres by the YSRCP in Kurnool on Thursday. | Photo credit: U. SUBRAMANYAM
Leaders of the TDP and the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) staged protests in Kurnool on Thursday, blaming each other for the alleged attacks on their cadre leading to tense moments in the city.
While the TDP alleged that the YSRCP allegedly resorted to attacking its activists, the YSRCP alleged that its cadre were harassed and false cases were registered against them. The YSRCP demanded an immediate stop to the harassment of its cadre. As both sides announced protests, the police themselves issued prohibitory orders on Wednesday evening and warned of action against any unauthorized protests or gatherings.
Kurnool Urban Development Authority (KUDA) Chairman Somisetty Venkateswarlu, who participated in the protest held at the Gandhi statue near the Collectorate against the assassination attempt on the party’s 23rd ward booth by Sunil, allegedly a YSRCP leader, accused YSRCP leaders SV Mohan Reddy and Byreddy Siddharth Reddy of trying to disturb the peaceful atmosphere of the city. “It is unfortunate that YSRCP leaders are making allegations that Industries and Commerce Minister and Kurnool MLA TG Bharath Gupta are resorting to vindictive politics while they themselves are conspiring to create trouble in the city,” Mr. Venkateswaralu said.
Mr. Venkateswarlu said that Mr. Bharath has been focusing on development since taking over as minister. The YSRCP leaders are unnecessarily blaming the minister for the legal action taken by the police against the YSRCP for their misdeeds during their previous five-year regime, he alleged. Mr. Venkateswarlu said that Mr. Bharath, like his father and former minister TG Venkatesh, played constructive politics rather than the destructive politics promoted by the YSRCP and its leadership.
Mr. Venkateswarlu said that the TDP would never abuse power and use the police to make illegal arrests, adding that it would never be intimidated by threats and rioting.
On the other hand, reacting to the protest his party staged against the registration of illegal cases, YSRCP youth leader Byreddy Siddharth Reddy alleged that Mr. Bharath was using the police to harass YSRCP cadres.
Published – 14 May 2026 21:17 IST
