In a fiery press conference on Tuesday, former minister Perni Nani condemned the violent attacks on the residences of TDP leaders Chandrababu Naidu and Lokesh. He accused the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) of orchestrating these assaults, which he described as deliberate acts of violence carried out by hired thugs and goons under the leadership of Guntur and Vijayawada MPs. Nani specifically pointed out that the attack on Jogi Ramesh’s home involved individuals skilled in throwing petrol bombs, and shockingly, this occurred in the presence of police, with hundreds of attackers participating.
Nani expressed his outrage at the police’s inaction, suggesting that instead of controlling these anti-social elements, law enforcement seemed to support the attacks. He alleged that discussions were held by Assistant Commissioner of Police Gunnan Ramakrishna with those who led the assault on Ramesh’s house, raising questions about the integrity of the police force. “Even when TDP goons attacked, the police did nothing to apprehend them. Trained goons are the only ones capable of throwing petrol bombs. If former ministers can face such situations, what about the common people?” he questioned.
The former minister further criticized the police for their lax response, stating that lower-level officers were expressing their frustration over the situation. Nani described it as disheartening to see a senior officer like Gunnan Ramakrishna descending to such levels. He questioned why police did not take action when hundreds gathered for the attack and noted that TDP had warned about the assault on social media prior to the event.
“Why did the police not send a clues team immediately after the attack? Isn’t it their duty to secure the crime scene?” Nani demanded, highlighting the apparent negligence of the police. He also pointed out that while minor protests by citizens often lead to police action under Section 30, the same standard was not applied in this case where a large-scale assault occurred.
As the situation escalated, Nani directed his comments towards Police Commissioner Rajasekhar Babu, questioning the effectiveness of his policing methods. He insisted that the police needed to address the incidents with seriousness and accountability, especially given the gravity of the attacks on former ministers’ homes, which are unprecedented in Andhra Pradesh.
Nani emphasized that violent acts against those questioning the government should not be tolerated. He urged both Chandrababu Naidu and Lokesh to remember that no government can rely on police forces that are misused in such a manner. “Chandrababu, be cautious. As the election code comes into effect, will the same police that are watching these attacks take action?” he warned.
Reflecting on the political climate, Nani also commented on the current opposition leader Pawan Kalyan’s silence amid such violence, suggesting that Kalyan, who speaks boldly when unthreatened, is not in a position to act decisively now. He concluded by stating that the YSRCP members are not afraid, emphasizing their commitment to fighting for justice and standing firm against threats, regardless of the consequences.
