Kakinada:Supporters of Jaggampeta MLA Jyothula Venkata Appa Rao and followers of social activist Patamsetti Suryachandra allegedly clashed at Burugupudi village in Kirlampudi mandal on Monday, leading to tension in the area.
Both groups accused each other of assault and lodged complaints with Kirlampudi police.
According to sources, Suryachandra had contested the 2019 elections from Jaggampeta constituency as a Jana Sena candidate. In the 2024 elections, the constituency was allotted to Telugu Desam candidate Jyothula Venkata Appa Rao, also known as Nehru, as part of the alliance arrangement.
Suryachandra later contested as an Independent candidate and secured around 12,500 votes.
Sources said Suryachandra had been raising allegations of illegal sand mining and other irregularities against local Telugu Desam leaders.
The incident occurred ahead of HRD minister N. Lokesh’s proposed visit to Jaggampeta constituency scheduled for May 19, which was later cancelled.
Suryachandra alleged that followers of the MLA came to his residence, damaged the gate and attempted to prevent him from holding a press conference regarding alleged irregularities in the constituency.
He told Deccan Chronicle that the group warned him against conducting the press meet and insisted on participating in it to present their version. He alleged that the situation later turned into a confrontation and that he was attacked.
Telugu Desam leader Patamsetti Babji alleged that Suryachandra and his followers attacked TDP workers when they objected to the proposed press conference. He claimed that several party workers sustained injuries in the incident.
Following the clash, fisheries development corporation chairman Mura Sathibabu, Kunche Tataji and Patamsetti Babji were admitted to the Primary Health Centre at Prathipadu for treatment.
Appa Rao later visited the hospital and met the injured persons.
Suryachandra demanded a high-level inquiry into alleged irregularities in the constituency and urged minister Lokesh to order a probe.
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