Protests erupt over Rambabu’s remarks against Naidu

/ANAKAPALLI

Protests erupted at various places across Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli districts on Saturday over derogatory comments made by YSRCP leader and former Minister Ambati Rambabu against Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

Andhra Pradesh TDP president Palla Srinivasa Rao described the remarks as deeply objectionable and unbecoming of democratic discourse. Speaking to the media at Gajuwaka, Mr. Srinivasa Rao said political debate should be centred on policies and performance, not on personal vilification.

He said the comments went far beyond the limits of political criticism and amounted to a deliberate attempt to demean a leader who had devoted decades of tireless service to the State and was widely regarded as a visionary with a long public record. He demanded that Mr. Rambabu withdraw his statements immediately and tender an unconditional public apology.

Home Minister V. Anitha also came down heavily on Mr. Rambabu over his remarks. She alleged that the YSRCP leader had made extremely vulgar and disgraceful comments against Mr. Naidu and said such statements were shameful. Accusing YSRCP leaders of attempting to create chaos, she warned that any effort to disturb law and order would not be tolerated under any circumstances. She also said that police personnel were subjected to abusive language and made it clear that strict action would be taken against anyone taking the law into their own hands.

Meanwhile, a large number of supporters and leaders, led by Visakhapatnam East MLA Velagapudi Ramakrishna Babu, staged a protest at Ushodaya Junction against Mr. Rambabu. TDP supporters, including a large number of women, raised slogans against the former Minister and demanded an apology. They also urged the police to initiate legal action against him.