Open Challenge Between Two TRS leaders Creates Tension

With differences between TRS MLA Harshavardhan Reddy and former minister Jupally Krishna Rao coming to the fore once again and infighting in the party intensifying further, high tension prevailed in the Kollapur constituency today.

The police put both Reddy and Rao under house arrest, and Section 144 was imposed in Kollapur.

For some days, a verbal duel has been on between the former minister and the sitting MLA, and both have been hurling allegations at each other over the development of the constituency and corruption.

This unrest continuously escalated, and the duo challenged each other to a open debate on Sunday.

While Rao invited Reddy to the Ambedkar statue in Kollapur, the latter instead said that he was prepared to visit the former minister's residence for the debate.

Party activists and supporters of both the leaders arrived in large numbers in Kollapur early in the morning and staged protests in support of their respective leaders. With tensions running high and the situation going out of control, the police declined permission for the debate, apprehensive that it could trigger clashes between the supporters of the leaders.

And when the MLA was on his way to the former minister's residence despite that, the police obstructed him and took him into the custody for some time.

Speaking to the media on the occasion, Reddy alleged that Rao had joined hands with anti-social elements, and was levelling baseless remarks against him.

Rao was a minister in the 2014-18 cabinet, but was defeated by Congress candidate Reddy in the 2018 elections. After winning, Reddy defected to the TRS, and from then onwards there have been regular conflicts between Rao and him, conflicts which have turned worse of late.