Published Feb 02, 2026 | 8:29 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 02, 2026 | 8:29 AM
A large group of people descended on Jogi Ramesh’s house, pelted stones, vandalised property, and set parts of the building on fire.
Synopsis: An attack on the residence of former minister Jogi Ramesh in Ibrahimpatnam pushed Andhra Pradesh politics into a new phase of confrontation, just a day after violence and unrest followed the arrest of another YSRCP leader, Ambati Rambabu. Police said the attack followed sharp remarks made by Jogi Ramesh against Nara Lokesh, comments that angered TDP cadres.
An attack on the residence of former minister Jogi Ramesh in Ibrahimpatnam on Sunday, 1 February, pushed Andhra Pradesh politics into a new phase of confrontation, just a day after violence and unrest followed the arrest of another YSRCP leader, Ambati Rambabu, in Guntur.
According to police and local sources, a large group of people, allegedly TDP activists, descended on Jogi Ramesh’s house in the Krishna district suburb, pelted stones, vandalised property, and set parts of the building on fire. Petrol bombs were reportedly used, sending thick black smoke billowing through the area and triggering panic among residents.
Jogi Ramesh was not at home during the time of the attack and was in Kurnool, averting what police described as a potentially serious casualty. Fire services were pressed into action as police struggled to control the agitated mob. Authorities deployed a heavy police force in and around Ibrahimpatnam as tension escalated, with supporters of both the TDP and the YSRCP gathering in the area.
Police said the attack followed sharp remarks made by Jogi Ramesh against Nara Lokesh, comments that angered TDP cadres. Protesters raised slogans against the former minister before storming the premises, breaking furniture and torching sections of the house.
The incident came close on the heels of violent scenes in Guntur on Saturday night, when TDP activists vandalised the residence and office of Ambati Rambabu after his arrest for allegedly making obscene and derogatory remarks against Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
Rambabu was taken into custody amid heavy security and shifted to the Nallapadu police station in an armoured vehicle as clashes broke out outside his home.
The back-to-back attacks have sharpened political tempers across the state. The YSRCP accused the ruling coalition of targeting Opposition leaders and alleged a collapse of law and order.
Former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said the assaults reflected a pattern of political intimidation and held Chandrababu Naidu responsible for what he described as organised violence against YSRCP leaders.
The ruling party has not issued a detailed response to the allegations, while police said they were examining CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts from Ibrahimpatnam to identify those involved in the arson and vandalism. Cases are expected to be registered once a preliminary assessment of damage is completed.
“A day after the shocking murder attempt on senior YSRCP leader and former minister Ambati Rambabu, another violent incident has rocked Andhra Pradesh, with the house of former minister Jogi Ramesh being vandalised and set on fire by hundreds of TDP followers at Ibrahimpatnam,” the party said in a statement.
YSRCP alleged that the mob acted in an organised manner, ransacked the premises, destroyed household articles and torched parts of the house, triggering fear in the locality. The party said the back-to-back attacks on two former ministers within two days pointed to a complete breakdown of law and order and raised serious concerns over the safety of opposition leaders.
The renewed unrest unfolds against the backdrop of heightened political sparring following the SIT report on ghee used in the Tirumala laddu, an issue that has already polarised the coalition government and the YSRCP. With two former ministers’ homes attacked within 48 hours, security agencies remain on alert amid fears of further escalation.
Reacting to the arson attack on Jogi Ramesh’s residence, the YSRCP said the violence reflected a deliberate pattern of intimidation against opposition leaders.
Former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy accused the ruling dispensation of encouraging violence and said the attacks were being carried out with political backing. He alleged that the state machinery failed to act in time despite clear intelligence inputs.
Meanwhile, police registered two separate cases against Ambati Rambabu following the violence and unrest in Guntur.
The first case was registered on a complaint by the Guntur district TDP president, accusing Rambabu of making obscene and derogatory remarks against Chief Minister Naidu, issuing alleged threats to TDP workers, attempting to incite public unrest and conspiring to damage the chief minister’s reputation.
Police invoked multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including provisions related to criminal intimidation, public disorder, use of obscene language and intentional insult.
The second case was filed based on a complaint by a police sub-inspector, who alleged that Rambabu obstructed official duty near the NTR statue area in Guntur. Police said Rambabu parked his vehicle across the road, blocked traffic, refused to comply with instructions and injured the officer while attempting to shut the car door. This case relates to obstruction of public servants, causing hurt and creating public inconvenience.
Rambabu was taken into custody late on Saturday night and shifted to the Nallapadu Police Station under heavy security after prolonged tension outside his residence and office. Police said investigations are ongoing in both cases.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
