The last hour of civic polls saw some incidents of attacks as leaders and workers of TRS, MIM and Congress parties came to virtual blows separately in the old city that led to tensions compelling the police to deploy additional forces at sensitive areas.
The MIM leaders reportedly attacked the residence of Deputy Chief Minister Mahamood Ai at Azampura. Consequently Mahamood Ali’s son Azam Ali and his followers led a counter attack on the MIM. Azam Ali expressed ire on the MIM for the attack condemning the MIM attack. The police took MIM’s Balala into custody for reportedly attacking the Deputy Chief Minister’s residence.
MIM Chief and MP Asaduddin Owaisi was seen screaming at the Congress leaders for the scuffle. Some of the MIM leaders got into a tussle with the Congress leadership when Utham Kumar Reddy and Shabbir Ali got their party member Ghouse from released from police station. It may be mentioned here that Ghouse had switched loyalties to the Congress as the MIM denied him a ticket to contest the polls.
The police found it tough to control the mob and resorted to a mild lathi-charge in which Utham and Shabbir sustained injuries. Later, the Congress leaders staged a protest at the DGP’s office. Utham expressed anguish at the police and Election Commission for lapses and incidents of attacks. Congress leader K Jana Reddy condemned the incident saying that such incidents are against democracy. He attributed the attacks to inefficiency of the TRS government and its officials.
Home Minister Nayani Narsimha Reddy and Transport Minister Mahender Reddy visited Mahamood Ali’s house and consoled him. Narsimha Reddy condemned the attack and vowed to take serious action against those involved. (NSS)