TDP leader alleges bid on life by actor

TIRUPATI, May 30: Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader and former member of the party state executive committee, K Shankar Reddy, was allegedly ...

TIRUPATI, May 30: Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader and former member of the party state executive committee, K Shankar Reddy, was allegedly assaulted by Rajya Sabha member and cine actor M Mohan Babu, resulting in his hospitalisation.

The TDP leader alleged that an attempt was made on his life this morning by Mohan, his brother-in-law Venkatadri Naidu and his security gunman.Reddy, who was admitted with injuries to a hospital here, was discharged after two hours.

Speaking to mediapersons later, he said that the actor invited him to Mango Grove’, the official residence of Sri Venkateswara University Vice-Chancellor (VC), where he was shooting for a film.

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When Reddy went there, Mohan took him to the office room, where the VC was holding a discussion with the university staff. On Mohan’s request, VC Ramamurthy left the room. Reddy alleged that Mohan then bolted the doors and hurled abuses at him.

Later, Naidu along with a gunman, and cine actor Srihari, started hitting him. Reddy said he called for help, drawing the attention of the people outside and forcing the assailants to let him off. Reddy has lodged a written complaint on the incident with the university police station.

Meanwhile, the cine actor denied the allegations. He said Reddy had to repay a loan of Rs 6 lakh and he had sent his brother-in-law to collect the amount in the morning.

When Naidu returned empty handed, he contacted Reddy over the phone and asked him to come to the venue of the film shooting to discuss the matter. Naidu and Reddy entered into heated arguments there and when the two started exchanging blows, he himself separated them and handed them over to the police, the actor claimed.

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Meanwhile, Chittoor SP Goutam Sawang was mobbed by a group of TDP activists when he arrived at Reddy’s house to enquire into the incident. The activists wanted the actor to be arrested.

The incident assumed a new twist with Reddy saying that Union Minister S Venugopalachary witnessed the event. The VC said he was unaware of the incident.

In Hyderabad, the Chief Minister said he had no information about the alleged incident. Sources, however, said that he would refer the issue to the party disciplinary action committee, once a detailed report was received.