Rajgopal Reddy threatens Congress leader during Munugode campaigning

MUNUGODE: The spate of humiliating experiences is continuing for BJP candidate Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy during his campaigning in Munugode Assembly constituency ahead of the by-election on November 3.

In a latest incident, the embattled leader who caused the by-election by switching his loyalties to the BJP, was mired in a controversy after allegedly bullying and threatening a Congress leader at Kothagudem of Narayanapuram mandal. Adding insult to injury, Rajgopal Reddy was accosted by a large number of villagers and supporters of Ghanam Anjaiah, the Congress leader. Tension prevailed when Rajgopal Reddy's followers almost came to blows with their opponents prompting the police to resort to lathicharge to quell the mobs.

Trouble started when Rajgopal Reddy, accompanied by the BJP supporters, went to the village which is considered a Congress stronghold. The villagers immediately accosted the BJP candidate and questioned his failure to address their local issues when he was the Munugode legislator. Rajgopal Reddy reportedly lost his cool and vented his ire at Anjaiah sparking angry retaliation from the villagers. The BJP nominee was accused of issuing threats (I will see your end) to the Congress leader.

Rajgopal Reddy also faced the heat from Congress sympathisers who tried to foil his campaigning at several places including Puttapaka and Vavillapalli. The police had to use caning at a few places to disperse the disruptors.