I never encouraged violence: Minister Vivek Venkataswamy

Hyderabad

Labour Minister Vivek Venkataswamy has taken objection to BRS leaders K.T. Rama Rao and T. Harish Rao visiting former MLA Balka Suman in jail, and said that it tantamounts to encouraging violent attacks on political opponents.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, he said that BRS leaders attacked his vehicle when he went to vote for the Municipal Chairperson elections in Kyathanpalli municipality. He said that a constable suffered serious head injuries, and a Congress worker was hurt in the melee.

“I don’t indulge in violence in politics nor does the Congress party,” he said while expressing his anger over Mr. Balka Suman obstructing the election of the municipality’s governing body and spreading lies against him. “Mr. Balka Suman had deprived the people of their right to vote in the last election too,” he alleged.

“Till now, no false cases have been filed, and no illegal arrests have been made against any BRS leader,” Mr. Vivek added. But in this case, he said, “BRS leaders stopped us and attacked us while we were going to exercise our ex-officio voting rights.” Mr. Vivek said that people were watching everything, and in the coming days, they will show their wisdom to such leaders.