‘Covert mechanism to suppress rivals’ — In Andhra Pradesh, Jagan’s party accuses Naidu’s TDP of ‘orchestrating’ attack on Dalit sarpanch

Rao was at a roadside tea stall on July 3 when he was allegedly attacked by two men carrying iron pipes. He is currently stated to be in the ICU.

“It is a covert mechanism involving retired IPS officers loyal to him, executing a master plan to suppress political rivals. This shadowy network identifies opposition members at the police station level, leading to orchestrated attacks, atrocities, illegal arrests, and false cases. The latest of such attacks is the brutal assault on Mannava village sarpanch B Nagamalleswara Rao, who is now fighting for his life due to an attack instigated by a local TDP MLA,” Rambabu said.

Meanwhile, former YSRCP minister Perni Venkataramaiah accused Naidu of “manipulating all institutions with police being mute spectators”.

“The brazen attack on Dalit sarpanch B Nagamalleswar Rao of Mannava village in Guntur district shows the lawlessness in the state and the video going viral shows the gravity of the situation. Nagamalleswar Rao has been with YSRCP and did not yield to the enticements and threats by the local TDP MLA Ponnur MLA Dhulipalla Narendra. With his presence being a hindrance, the attack was carried out. The video shows the heinous way the attack was carried out,” Venkataramaiah said.

The Ponnur MLA has denied the allegation, claiming it was the fallout of a personal dispute. TDP spokesperson A Venkata Ramana Reddy too has similarly brushed off the accusations.

The YSRCP has also claimed it was worried about potential attacks on the offices of Sakshi media, which the family of former chief minister Jagan owns.

Some petrol bombs and stones were allegedly hurled at Sakhi’s Eluru office last month, causing damage to furniture and property.