The arrest of Malkajgiri Congress MP A Revanth Reddy on Saturday (August 22) heated up the politics in Telangana. The MP and former MP Mallu Ravi were arrested at Gandi Maisamma temple in Dindi in Nagarkurnool district while they were on their way to the Srisailam hydroelectric plant where a major fire mishap claimed 9 lives the previous night.
The arrest of Telangana Pradesh Congress working president by police triggered protests from Congress leaders and cadres. They say it is outrageous to arrest party leaders who were going to console the victims of the mishap. Revanth too came down heavily against the highhanded behavior of the TRS government on social media.
“Have opposition leaders no right even to console the families of accident victims?” he said. He engaged in heated exchanges with police before he was taken into custody along with Mallu Ravi. He said he was obstructed and arrested while performing his duty as opposition leader to call on the families of victims and demand justice on their behalf. He also asked whether the Srisailam power plant tragedy was an accident or a conspiracy.
Elaborating on his suspicion of a devious plot, Revanth Reddy said the accident gives credence to allegations that a conspiracy was being hatched to close Telangana power projects to benefit Jagan Mohan Reddy in the neighbouring state. He demanded CBI inquiry into the mishap. He sought Rs 1 crore ex gratia to the families of each victim. Revanth’s arrest created a much-needed momentum among Congress cadres. The party leaders say it is appalling that the government is arresting opposition leaders without any justification.
