The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Searches: TDP smells a rat

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Searches: TDP smells a rat

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, SEPT. 28. The Telugu Desam Party today alleged that searches conducted at the residence of Penukonda MLA, Paritala Ravindra, in Venkatapuram village, were part of a "Congress conspiracy" to eliminate him and also to "build up a case" for invoking the Preventive Detention Act.

Senior TDP leaders K.Vidyadhar Rao and T.Seetharam at a press conference here charged the police with "colluding" with the ruling party. They said the searches were conducted in a planned manner with the approval of the Chief Minister, Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy. "The Chief Minister will have to own up responsibility if any harm comes to Paritala Ravi."

SP faulted

Finding fault with the Anantapur SP, Praveen Kumar, for stating that the clothes found in the MLA's house had blood stains even before sending them for forensic examination, they wanted the seized material to be surrendered in a court as they suspected the Government might "tamper with evidence." They claimed that the Government had filed a counter-affidavit seeking to reduce the scale of security provided to Mr. Ravindra, which was given as per court direction.

At another press conference, former Ministers S.Chandramohan Reddy, J R Pushparaj and P.Chandrasekhar, described the sacking of the Prodattur Municipal Chairperson, P.Savithramma, as "murder of democracy." The TDP would fight it legally. It was part of a plan to weaken the local bodies ruled by the TDP in view of the ensuing elections, they said. Action should have been taken against the Prodattur Municipal Commissioner and other officials as Ms.Savithramma did not have any `cheque power.'

Jana clarifies

The Home Minister, K. Jana Reddy, has said that searches were conducted in the house of Paritala Ravi, Telugu Desam MLA, with a view to establishing peace in Anantapur and not taking revenge against him as alleged by him.

Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, he said the blood-stained clothes obtained from the legislator's house were sent for chemical examination. Asked how the police knew that the particular cloth was kept in his house, he said, it was following a tip-off.

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