Bulldozer politics in Andhra Pradesh? TDP senior leader’s house wall demolished

‘Wall encroached on irrigation canal’

Officials of the state irrigation and revenue departments sent bulldozers to Patrudu’s street and demolished the compound wall.

According to the officials, the house was built on two cents of encroached land that belonged to the irrigation department.

The officials told reporters that the compound wall was illegally erected next to the canal wall of Ravanapalli Reservoir, and caused flooding of rainwater into the croplands in the nearby Sivapuram village.

They added that the irrigation department had sent notices in this regard to the former state minister and Telugu Desam Party Politburo member as early as 2 June, and that they were proceeding according to the law.

TDP calls for ‘Chalo Narsipatnam’

The TDP, however, alleged that this was an act of vendetta politics and that the chief minister was misusing his powers to silence the Opposition leader who has been vocal in his criticism of the government.

Police security has been hiked near Ayyana Patrudu’s house in Narsipatnam in anticipation of TDP protests. (Supplied)

The situation at Narsipatnam, however, remains tense as TDP leaders and supporters continue to hold protest programmes in the town.

While the TDP has called for a “Chalo Narsipatnam” agitation, it has also alleged that many of its cadres were held under house arrest.

TDP national general secretary Nara Lokesh condemned the demolition and alleged that the chief minister resorted to such tactics as he was intimidated by the huge public response to his father and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu’s recent North Andhra tour.

నర్సీపట్నం పులి ని చూసి పులివెందుల పిల్లి భయపడింది. నోటీసులు ఇస్తామంటూ పోలీసుల అరెస్ట్ డ్రామా, దౌర్జన్యంగా ఇంటి గోడ కూల్చడం చూస్తుంటే జగ్గడు గట్టిగానే భయపడినట్టు కనిపిస్తుంది.(1/3) pic.twitter.com/u7KIS1pmq4

— Lokesh Nara (@naralokesh) June 19, 2022

Relief from high court

Patrudu, however, got relief from the Andhra Pradesh High Court on 20 June.

The court ordered a stay on the demolition of the house.

Patrudu’s son Chintakayala Vijay, who led the protests, said the party would continue with the agitation even after obtaining the stay order.

He demanded that the officials responsible for the “illegal demolition” of the compound wall of his house should pay for its reconstruction with their salaries.

Reddy faced similar allegations in 2019 when the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) demolished a leased bungalow of then Opposition leader Naidu, built on the banks of the Krishna river.