Tension escalates across Telangana as Congress protests at BJP offices over National Herald case
Hyderabad: Congress BJP tensions escalated across Telangana on Thursday as Congress workers protested at BJP offices, alleging misuse of the Enforcement Directorate in the National Herald case. Acting on an AICC call, Congress cadres staged coordinated protests, which led to tense situations in several locations.
According to Congress leaders, the Centre targeted Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi through politically motivated ED cases. Therefore, as part of the Congress BJP protest call, workers mobilised across districts and surrounded BJP offices. As a result, police stepped in and imposed preventive measures at multiple places.
In Hyderabad, meanwhile, sloganeering by both Congress BJP sides dominated the area near the BJP state office in Nampally. Similarly, district headquarters also witnessed heightened tension, forcing police to intervene to prevent clashes.
Congress BJP protests trigger arrests and clashes
At Gandhi Bhavan in Nampally, Congress workers from various districts gathered early and attempted to march towards the BJP state office. However, police denied permission and detained senior Congress leaders leading the protest.
Meanwhile, Congress women leaders, including Sunitha Rao, also moved towards the BJP office. Consequently, police arrested them to prevent escalation. Anticipating trouble, authorities deployed heavy police presence around Gandhi Bhavan and the BJP state office.
In Karimnagar, Congress leaders attempted to besiege Union Minister Bandi Sanjay’s office. At the same time, in Sircilla, Congress leaders staged a dharna near the BJP office, prompting BJP leaders to gather. However, police blocked BJP leaders from entering the office, leading to heated arguments. Subsequently, a protest led by Government Whip Adi Srinivas continued along the Sircilla–Karimnagar main road.
In Nalgonda, the Congress BJP protest under DCC president Punna Kailas Netta turned violent when Congress workers threw eggs at the BJP office. Although BJP workers attempted to confront them, police intervened and detained Congress leaders. In Warangal, clashes between Congress and BRS workers further added to the tension.
At Bhongir district headquarters, Congress workers staged protests following AICC and PCC calls. Addressing the gathering, Beera Ilaiah accused the BJP of filing false cases to silence opposition voices. Later, police arrested Beera Ilaiah and Congress workers and shifted them to nearby police stations.