Leaders of TDP and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) staged protests in Kurnool on Thursday, blaming each other for the alleged attacks on their cadre leading to some tense moments in the city.

While the TDP alleged that the YSRCP was allegedly resorting to attacks on its activists, the YSRCP claimed that its cadre were harassed and false cases were registered against them. The YSRCP demanded an immediate halt to the harassment of its cadre. With both the sides announcing protests, the police, on Wednesday night itself, imposed prohibitory orders and warned of action against any unauthorised protests or gatherings.

Participating in the protest held at Gandhi statue near the Collectorate against the murder attempt on the party’s 23rd ward booth in-charge Sunil allegedly by YSRCP leaders, Kurnool Urban Development Authority (KUDA) Chairman Somisetty Venkateswarlu blamed YSRCP leaders S.V. Mohan Reddy and Byreddy Siddharth Reddy for trying to disturb the peaceful atmosphere in the city. “It is unfortunate that the YSRCP leaders are levelling allegations that Industries and Commerce Minister and Kurnool MLA T.G. Bharath Gupta is 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 focused on development since taking charge as Minister. The YSRCP leaders are unnecessary blaming the Minister for the legal action taken by the police against the YSRCP for their misdeeds during their previous five year regime, he claimed. Mr. Venkateswarlu said Mr. Bharath, as well as his father and former Minister T.G. Venkatesh, have played constructive politics rather than destructive politics encouraged by the YSRCP and its leadership.

Mr. Venkateswarlu said the TDP would never misuse power and use the police to make illegal arrests and added that they will never be cowed down by threats and rowdyism.

On the other hand, addressing the protest held by his party against registration of illegal cases, YSRCP youth leader Byreddy Siddharth Reddy alleged that Mr. Bharath was using police to harass the YSRCP cadre.