YSRCP politicising Ambedkar statue desecration case, says A.P. Home Minister

Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha on Saturday accused the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leaders of trying to politicise the recent Ambedkar statue desecration case incident in Chittoor district.

Ms. Anitha visited Devalampeta village in Vedurukuppam mandal in Gangadhara Nellore Assembly constituency, where miscreants vandalised a statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, after setting a shop on fire on October 3. She garlanded the rebuilt statue and reviewed the investigation into the case.

Accompanied by Chittoor MP Daggumalla Prasada Rao, MLAs Murali Mohan and Thomas, and other leaders, Ms. Anitha lauded the police for swiftly solving the case using technology.

Speaking at a solidarity meeting, the Home Minister described the incident as an act of vengeance for political gain. “Those resorting to exploit the Dalit sentiments for political mileage will not be spared,” she said.

Targeting YSRCP leader Perni Nani, the Home Minister retorted: “How can a person who once held a Cabinet Minister post go to a police station and threaten the officers? It is akin to undermining the sanctity of law and order.”

Ms Anitha stated that the government would take suitable legal action regarding the incident. “There is no place for rowdyism and political arrogance in our government. Anyone breaking the law cannot escape legal consequences,” Ms. Anitha said.

Reiterating that the government is committed to preventing the manufacture and sale of spurious liquor, she said the State was not only targeting those caught in the act but also the conspirators operating from behind the scenes.

She said that the people should condemn YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s inclination to “divide people on caste and communal lines”. “As the YSRCP is unable to digest the growing public support for the NDA government, they are pursuing unethical ways to malign it,” she said.