JC Prabhakar Reddy seeks alms, Anantapur police have qualms

ANANTAPUR: Controversial TDP leader and Tadipatri Municipal Chairman J C Prabhakar Reddy once again stirred the hornet's nest on Wednesday when he set out to seek alms from the public to carry out repairs for the municipal vehicles in the town. Tension prevailed when police resisted his move right outside his residence, prompting the mercurial leader to squat on the road and stage a protest.

Prabhakar Reddy lived up to his reputation to stir up controversies every now and then when he decided to resort to the bizarre protest against what he calls the State Government's continued indifference in releasing requisite funds for repair works. He expressed his anger over the inaction of the State government in this regard which, he claimed, rendered many vehicles of the Tadipatri municipality useless in the absence of repairs.

Against this backdrop, Prabhakar Reddy on Wednesday decided to go around the town with a begging bowl to collect money from the public for the repair works. But just as he came out of his residence, the Tadipatri police stopped him and foiled his attempt, citing lack of prior permission and prohibitory orders in place in the town.

After a brief heated exchange with the police, the veteran leader squatted on the road in protest. He demanded that the State Government release funds for the vehicle repairs immediately. He threatened to go on a protest at the Gandhi statue in Tadipatri in pure Gandhian style if his demand was not considered in two days.