TDP activists protest Ambati Rambabu’s comments on Naidu in Guntur

The war of words between the Telugu Desam Party and the YSR Congress Party over the alleged adulteration of ghee used by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams to prepare laddus spiralled out of control in Guntur city.

Abusive remarks allegedly made by former MLA Ambati Rambabu against Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu triggered violence, with angry activists of the ruling party attacking the former legislator’s house and threatening him for making objectionable comments.

On Friday, January 30, Mr. Rambabu announced that he would pull down a flexi banner erected by the TDP at Gorantla highlighting the ghee adulteration issue, while dismissing the Chief Minister’s statements made in late 2024 as baseless and politically motivated.

On Saturday, after performing a ritual at a local temple, Mr. Rambabu attempted to proceed to the spot where the banner had been erected. However, TDP activists stopped his vehicle, leading to a heated confrontation.

Police personnel, who had been deployed in anticipation of trouble, intervened to pacify both sides. During the tense exchanges, Mr. Rambabu allegedly made further derogatory remarks against the Chief Minister, which further angered the TDP workers.

The police escorted Mr. Rambabu away from the scene, but a group of agitated TDP activists later reached his residence at Navabharat Nagar and ransacked the house. TDP leader Pilli Manikyala Rao lodged a complaint with the police, demanding strict action.

With the situation remaining tense, police personnel were posted outside Mr. Rambabu’s residence as a precautionary measure.

The former MLA’s conduct drew strong condemnation from TDP leaders, who demanded that the police initiate stringent legal action against him.

Reacting to the incidents, YSR Congress Party president Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, in a social media post, held the Chief Minister responsible for the violence and said the attack on Mr. Rambabu was proof of a breakdown in law and order.