BJP Telangana unit president Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Friday resumed his third phase of padayatra christened ‘Praja Sangrama Yatra’ at Uppugal in Zaffergadh mandal, close to Pamnoor, where it had come to an abrupt halt with the police taking him into preventive custody in Jangaon district on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, Mr. Sanjay was arrested under Section 151 of Cr. PC at Pamnoor when he tried to stage a deeksha in protest against alleged illegal arrest of the BJP cadre during a demonstration in front of the TRS MLC Kavitha’s residence in Hyderabad on Monday.
Amid intense protests by party cadre, Mr. Sanjay was shifted to his residence in Karimnagar the same day.
The Telangana High Court on Thursday granted permission for the third phase of Praja Sangrama Yatra after hearing a petition filed by the BJP Telangana unit seeking its nod for continuation of the padayatra.
Mr. Sanjay was accorded a traditional welcome by scores of party cadre and local villagers amid beating of drums at Uppugal in the morning, when he resumed his padayatra, BJP sources said.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sanjay alleged that the TRS government, after its failed attempt to stall the padayatra, was now trying to halt the BJP’s public meeting slated to be held in Hanamkonda on Saturday.
“The TRS dispensation is hell bent on stopping the public meeting for which our party has already taken permission,” he alleged.
Meanwhile, mild tension prevailed at Kunur village when a heated argument ensued between a TRS cadre and BJP workers minutes before the padayatra entered the village. Police swung into action and dispersed them.