Sitting BRS MLA Balaraju sustained injuries on the left side of his face. A few of his followers were also hurt.
Published Nov 12, 2023 | 7:24 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 12, 2023 | 7:28 PM
A vehicle being attacked during the Congress-BRS clash in Achampet. (Screengrab)
Tension gripped the Achampet Assembly constituency in the Nagarkurnool district of Telangana on the night of Saturday, 11 November, when activists of the BRS and the Congress clashed following rumours that the ruling party’s sitting MLA Guvvala Balaraju was distributing money to voters.
Trouble broke out when followers of Congress candidate Vamshi Krishna came to know that Balaraju and his followers were allegedly distributing money to woo voters. They stopped his vehicle, resulting in heated arguments between the two groups.
The two sides suddenly started clashing with sticks and stones. As a result, Balaraju suffered injuries on the left side of his face. A few of his followers were also hurt.
KTR visiting Achampet MLA Balaraju in hospital. (Supplied)
Balaraju’s followers immediately rushed him to a nearby hospital and later to a corporate hospital in Hyderabad for better treatment. After hearing about the incident, the police rushed to the spot and dispersed the two groups.
Following the clash, special police pickets were set up in the constituency to prevent any more untoward incidents.
Additional police forces were also deployed as the parties were expected to intensify their election campaign from Tuesday.
Balaraju, who was discharged from the hospital on Sunday afternoon, said he escaped major injuries thanks to the blessings of the people, as he was travelling in his friend’s vehicle instead of his vehicle.
“The Congress activists waylaid and attacked me,” he said.
Balaraju said he would continue serving people till his last breath and would not be cowed by such attacks. “I will continue to work for the development of Achampet Assembly constituency on all fronts,” he said.
Municipal Administration and IT Minister KT Rama Rao, Finance Minister Harish Rao, and other BRS leaders called on Balaraju in the hospital and enquired about his health condition.
Rama Rao said the party would request the police to increase security for elected representatives.
He also said that action would be taken against those involved in the incident as the BRS would form the government in Telangana after the Assembly elections.
