Hold elections without police Interference: Gadikota Srikanth Reddy

Rayachoti, Oct 17: YSRCP State General Secretary Gadikota Srikanth Reddy challenged Minister Ramprasad Reddy to allow elections in Rayachoti without police interference and give every candidate an equal chance.

 Speaking to the media at his residence, he accused the minister of using the elections to intimidate the Opposition and divert attention from attacks on shops, furniture, the YSRCP office and vehicles. He demanded a thorough inquiry and action against those responsible.

Srikanth Reddy said the police must act impartially and according to law. He alleged that businessman Jinna Shareef, whom YSRCP had chosen as a candidate, was being harassed and that his shops and business were being targeted. He said Shareef arranged private security because he did not trust the police to protect him, and criticised attempts to portray this as a murder conspiracy and implicate YSRCP leaders without evidence. He called for an evidence-based investigation.

“I will not campaign if you do not campaign. Let the elections take place freely under police supervision,” he said, adding that YSRCP was ready to field 44 councillor candidates and a chairperson candidate. He asked whether the minister had the courage to accept the challenge.

He also urged the minister to work to restore Rayachoti’s district headquarters and said YSRCP was ready to debate the stadium, ring road and district development.