High tension gripped Kuppam town of Andhra Pradesh on Thursday with the ruling YSRCP and Telugu Desam Party cadres resorting to pelting stones, followed by the pulling down of the “Anna Canteen” by the former, and police lathi-charge on the latter when the mobs started rushing towards the YSRCP MLC Bharath’s house. Incidentally, a sequence of disturbing developments unfolded when TDP national president Mr. Maidu and local MLA is currently camping in Kuppam.
The tension began to build up at the tri-State junction town of Kuppam from the early hours, with the police officials prohibiting the entry of all vehicles, including public and private transport, into Kuppam, expecting trouble in the backdrop of Wednesday’s clash between the cadres of two parties near Ramakuppam during Naidu’s first-day visit of the constituency.
Seeking one-hour permission from the police, the YSRCP leaders, Chittoor MP N. Reddappa, MLC K. Bharath, and ZP chairman Govindappa Srinivas staged a protest at the YSR statue junction near the RTC bus stand, denouncing Wednesday’s clash. A few meters from the venue, Mr. Naidu was scheduled to formally inaugurate the Anna Canteen.
