Police claim YSR statue attacker was YSRCP activist

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

A political controversy has erupted in Andhra Pradesh after police investigating the vandalism of a statue of former Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy in Nandyal claimed that the accused is a long-time YSRCP activist, contradicting allegations that rival political parties were behind the incident.

According to police, CCTV footage and other evidence identified the accused as Jamalayya, who allegedly damaged the statue at Srinivasa Centre in Nandyal. Investigators said a case has been registered and an inquiry is underway to determine whether the act was part of a larger conspiracy.

Police officials stated that Jamalayya has been associated with YSRCP political activities for several years and was reportedly a follower of former MLA Shilpa Ravi Kishore Reddy and local YSRCP leader Punna Seshaiah. Authorities also noted that his wife was working as a Community Resource Person after being recommended during the previous YSRCP government’s tenure in 2022.

Investigators said that, based on the evidence collected so far, there was no indication of involvement by other political parties in the incident. However, they clarified that they are examining whether additional individuals were involved and whether the vandalism was pre-planned. Police also warned against spreading misinformation or inflammatory content on social media, stating that strict action would be taken against those attempting to disturb public order.

The incident has triggered sharp political reactions, particularly from Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president Y. S. Sharmila, who accused the coalition government of failing to protect the legacy of the late YSR. She condemned the attack and questioned how the incident could occur in broad daylight despite the presence of police personnel. Sharmila rejected suggestions that the accused’s mental condition alone could explain the vandalism and demanded a thorough investigation into those allegedly behind the act.

The Congress leader urged the government to immediately reinstall the damaged statue and take stringent action against all those responsible. She also warned that if a new statue is not erected at the site, she would launch an indefinite hunger strike in Nandyal.

The incident has added a fresh political dimension to the ongoing rivalry between the ruling coalition and opposition parties, with both sides offering sharply contrasting narratives over the vandalism and its motives.

“If a new statue is not erected at the site, we will launch an indefinite hunger strike in Nandyal.’ 

Y. S. Sharmila Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president