In politics, it is common for leaders to throw challenges to their counterparts. Most of them do not take the challenge. However, in East Godavari district, Anaparthi MLA Suryanarayana Reddy has accepted the challenge thrown by the former MLA N Ramakrishna Reddy. Ramakrishna Reddy alleged that the present MLA has indulged in corruption. The MLA responding to the allegations of corruption has rejected them as baseless and offered to swear in front of Bikkavolu Lakshmi Ganapati temple. As both leaders decided to visit the Bikkavolu Ganapati temple, a heightened tension prevailed in the town. The followers and media were not allowed into the temple when MLA Suryanarayana Reddy and former MLA couple Ramakrishna Reddy vowed in front of God.
However, a TV channel mentioned wrongly that the former MLA’s wife did not swear. Reacting to this, Ramakrishna Reddy took to Facebook and uploaded an image of his wife swearing at the temple.
Ramakrishna Reddy even alleged that Anaparthi MLA Suryanarayana Reddy is the reason for large scale encroachments in the constituency. He raised 12 points and demanded the MLA to attend a debate on it, adding that the lands allocated for the poor were also swallowed by the latter. The YSCP MLA accepted the challenge and instead of debate, he offered to vow in front of God. Hence both decided to swear in the temple. Police did not allow a huge gathering, and instead imposed Section 144 and allowed only three persons from both sides into the temple. Both the sides vowed by touching the idol and the process ended peacefully.
The former MLA went on to say that the YSRCP MLA has done corruption to the tune of Rs 400 crore and demanded him to come for debate. Looks like the controversy does not seem to die down early.