Seven hours of planned attack under police watch”: Ambati Rambabu says he won’t back down

Guntur, Feb 20: YSRCP Guntur District President and former minister Ambati Rambabu stated that the attack on his residence and office was a pre-planned operation carried out by TDP cadres under police supervision, and declared that he will not retreat despite arrest, jail, or multiple cases. Addressing the media at his camp office after his release on bail, he said mobs armed with rods and sticks attacked his vehicle while he was returning from temple prayers, and later vandalized his home and office for nearly seven hours even after he publicly expressed regret for a remark made in the heat of the moment. He stated that his family, including women and children, were present during the attack, vehicles were destroyed, and attempts were made to set the house on fire, while police remained passive and even advised him to escape by jumping a wall.

Rambabu said he was arrested at midnight while those who led the attack were spared, and claimed that an attempt was made to assault him inside the lockup at around 2:30 a.m. He further stated that the remand report contained fabricated statements, including caste-based abuses he said he never uttered, and that the case was designed to inflame caste tensions and justify his incarceration. He asserted that he has never insulted any community and that the intention was to eliminate him politically through a “Red Book” conspiracy. He challenged Union Minister Pemmasani Chandrasekhar over remarks about “showing a film,” asking who the real hero is, the one who ordered destruction or the one who endured 18 days in jail.

Responding to Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s comments that offensive speech leads to violence, Rambabu said he had already expressed regret and questioned whether that justified attacks and arrest. He asked whether others in public life have never used harsh words and whether there is a “license” for some to abuse while others are jailed. He also addressed remarks by Nagababu, recalling past movements for the Kapu community and stating that he has consistently raised his voice for social justice. Rambabu said caste references were introduced by his opponents, not by him, and questioned whether criticizing the Chief Minister amounts to attacking an entire community.

He concluded that despite 18 days in jail and what he described as coordinated political targeting, he remains unafraid and steadfast, asserting that democracy will ultimately determine who is right and who is wrong.