Hyderabad: Labour and Mines Minister Dr. G. Vivek Venkatswamy described the BRS hooliganism assault during the Chairman election at Kythanpalli Municipality as an attack on democracy.
Addressing a media conference at the Chennur MLA camp office on Tuesday, he said BRS leader Balka Suman arrived with supporters and attacked their vehicle. Peddapalli MP Gaddam Vamsi Krishna was present at the briefing.
The Minister said the incident occurred despite the Model Code of Conduct being in force and police barricades being erected. He stated that the BRS hooliganism assault left a police constable and a Congress worker injured.
Dr. Vivek said he and MP Vamsi Krishna had attended the municipality as co-option members. They went to exercise their lawful voting rights during the oath-taking ceremony and Chairman election. However, he alleged that Balka Suman and his followers targeted and attacked them.
BRS hooliganism assault disrupted election process
The Minister said authorities conducted the election in a democratic manner without pressure or coercion. However, he alleged that certain elements deliberately attempted to create unrest.
He recalled that democratic institutions were undermined during the BRS regime. He also claimed that intimidation tactics were frequently employed in that period.
Dr. Vivek termed it unfortunate that Balka Suman held press conferences and made false allegations. He said moving in groups during enforcement of the election code violated the law. He added that they stepped out only after their councillor faced an attack inside the municipal premises.
The Minister said video evidence clearly established the sequence of events related to the BRS hooliganism assault. Therefore, he demanded that police immediately register a case and initiate strict legal action.
BRS hooliganism assault sparks call for strict action
He further criticised what he described as the political culture of the BRS. He referred to incidents during the Telangana movement, including an attack on the residence of Prof. K. Kodandaram.
Vivek asserted that after his election as MLA, he had not filed cases against any BRS worker. Nor had he harassed them, he said. Instead, he alleged that such violent behaviour stemmed from frustration following electoral defeats.
He urged Balka Suman to refrain from hooliganism and respect democratic norms.