ANANTAPUR: Congress and Telugu Desam began the blame game for the violence occurred at Tadipatri in the district on Friday. Leaders of TDP, K. Srinivasulu, P. Keshav and others alleged that the Congress leaders of Tadipatri, particularly Panchayat Raj Minister J.C. Diwakar Reddy and his brother J.C. Prabhakar Reddy were resorting to spreading violence as they lacked faith in the democratic process of elections. Besides, the fear of defeat was also haunting them, they said.

Candidate of TDP from Tadipatri constituency Peram Nagi Reddy alleged that J.C. brothers were resorting to post-poll violence with the fear of defeat. They resorted to a series of attacks in retaliation to a small incident occurred at Nandalapadu on Thursday night, he explained.

On the other hand, Mr. Prabhakar Reddy blamed it squarely on the TDP and Mr. Nagi Reddy for the incidents on Friday. The Congress activists had only tried to protect themselves, he claimed.

District secretary of CPI (M) G. Obulakonda Reddy demanded that J.C. brothers be arrested immediately as it they instigated attacks on the houses of TDP activists’ initially in Tadipatri on Friday morning. He also condemned attack on newsmen at Tadipatri.

Cameramen attacked

Meanwhile, Congress activists allegedly snatched the equipment of cameramen belonging to Gemini News, hmtv and TV9 news channels and thrashed two of them. The newsmen did not lodge complaint with the police due to fear. The Election Commission has reportedly directed the police to register cases against the culprits for snatching of camera from newsmen suo motu.

Followers of Congress candidate for Rapthadu constituency T. Prakash Reddy staged a protest in front of Rapthadu Tehsildar’s office on Friday and submitted a memorandum to Returning Officer demanding re-polling in K. Gadikunta, Nasanakota and a few other polling stations.

Besides, TDP leaders P. Keshav, K. Srinivasulu, P. Shaamanthakamani and others urged Collector V. Anil Kumar to strengthen security for re-polling in the district.