According to reports, YSRCP minority leader Krishnapuram Jamir was set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday in the presence of Health Minister and Dharmavaram’s BJP MLA Satyakumar Yadav. The TDP constituency in-charge, Paritala Sriram has reportedly been opposing Mr. Jamir’s inclusion in the BJP.
Ahead of Mr. Jamir’s joining the BJP, flexi banners welcoming him were put up in Dharmavaram, triggering protests by the TDP activists. The TDP supporters allegedly tore down the banners, leading to a heated argument between activists of the TDP and the YSRCP. The situation escalated as the rival groups pelted stones on each other. Three bikes and two SUVs were damaged in the melee.
Police rushed to the scene and dispersed the warring activists of both parties. Injured activists from both sides were shifted to a hospital. The authorities ordered closure of shops in the town as a precautionary measure and tightened the security to prevent any untoward incident.
Superintendent of Police V. Ratna rushed to Dharmavaram on Sunday night, and set up a police picket to maintain the law and order.
The BJP secured the MLA ticket for Dharmavaram last elections as part of its alliance arrangement with the TDP and JSP ahead of the 2024 elections. Satya Kumar Yadav won the seat by defeating Kethireddy Venkatarami Reddy. Despite initial disappointment over not securing the ticket, the TDP’s Paritala Sriram supported Mr. Yadav’s campaign.
The local leaders observed that the incident exposed the growing tensions as political parties were trying to consolidate their influence in the constituency ahead of the upcoming elections to the local bodies.
Published – January 27, 2025 07:08 pm IST
