Hyderabad: Osmania University police placed Telangana BJP president Ramachander Rao under house arrest at his Tarnaka residence. The action followed the BJP’s announcement that it would oppose the Bharat Summit and Rahul Gandhi’s visit. Police moved to prevent possible law and order problems during the event.
Early in the morning, a large police contingent gathered outside Rao’s residence. Officers prevented him from leaving the house. His call for BJP workers to obstruct Rahul Gandhi’s visit and stage statewide black-flag protests prompted the police action.
The Bharat Summit was taking place at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC). Rahul Gandhi was scheduled to attend its concluding sessions. In response, the BJP had announced protests against his participation.
Ramachander Rao house arrest draws BJP criticism
Reacting to the police action, Ramachander Rao accused the Congress of using the summit to damage India’s image and undermine Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. He alleged that organisers had invited foreign delegates under the Bharat Summit banner to tarnish the country’s reputation.
He further claimed that the event involved anti-national forces. Rao also accused the organisers of turning the summit into a platform to relaunch Rahul Gandhi.
Meanwhile, BJP leaders expressed anger over the police action against their state president. They alleged that the Congress government was suppressing the party’s democratic right to protest.
Police also tightened security around the HICC and several parts of Hyderabad. The deployment aimed to prevent law and order disturbances during the summit and Rahul Gandhi’s scheduled visit.