Yet another YSRCP leader has come under criticism for continuing with publicity and popularity exercises in the middle of the lockdown. Videos of tractor processions organised by Sullurpeta MLA Kiliveti Sanjeevaiah on Wednesday, to distribute essential commodities to poor families in his constituency, show gatherings of people in close proximity with each other.
A procession of more than 30 tractors was flagged off by Rajya Sabha MP from YSRCP Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy at Sullurpeta town in Nellore district on Wednesday. Visuals show the rally being inaugurated by the MP amid a group of people. The tractors are seen displaying large banners with text that reads ‘Jagananna Kanuka’ (Jagan anna’s gift), with images of Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy as well as local party leaders.
Here's a video for more clarity pic.twitter.com/PxGOv8FZm3
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A similar rally was also held at Naidupeta town of Sullurpeta constituency two days earlier, also organised by Sullurpeta MLA. This earlier rally was flagged off by state Minister for Water Resources Anil Kumar Yadav, who is MLA from Nellore City.
Sullurpeta police insist that in both instances, the tractors were only used to transport the groceries, and were distributed to poor families in 6 mandals of the constituency through village volunteers, while maintaining social distance and taking safety precautions.
“A small gathering was conducted at a community hall on Wednesday, to discuss the work being done and to spread awareness about COVID-19. No large crowds were involved,” a Sullurpeta police official said. This despite visuals showing crowds of people near the tractors.
Funds for the exercise, including the commodities that were distributed, were raised through donations from local industrialists.
A few days back, a similar distribution program was organised in the neighbouring Srikalahasti town of Chittoor district. Srikalahasti MLA from YSRCP Biyyapu Madhusudhan Reddy had organised a spectacle with nearly 30 tractors carrying essential supplies to be distributed to the poor. The tractors were fixed with large flexes displaying images of celebrities and industrialists who had donated to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund and the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, including film actors like Prabhas and Mahesh Babu, heads of corporations like Reliance and Tata Groups, and even YS Bharati, Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy’s wife.
An aerial view video of the rally was also recorded. However, Srikalahasti police also insisted that the distribution was done while maintaining necessary social distance. Srikalahasti DySP Nagendra said that MLA Madhusudhan Reddy himself was on his scooter, guiding the volunteers who were distributing essentials from the tractors. The MLA had reportedly funded the entire program with his own resources.
Recently, the Srikalahasti rally faced even more criticism after nearly 14 frontline workers, including 6 police personnel, tested positive for COVID-19 in Srikalahasti. But the administration had denied that the frontline workers had got the infection from the rallies.
“Frontline workers, including police constables and others who are infected, are working day and night dedicatedly. Many of them were moving closely with primary and secondary contacts of COVID-19 patients, transporting them to hospitals for testing etc. There is no connection to the rally and these cases, these people were not present at the rally. It is being politicised unnecessarily,” Srikalahasti DySP Nagendra said.
Another YSRCP MLA RK Roja was recently seen walking down the road with people throwing flower petals at her feet. The Nagari MLA was also heavily condemned for allowing the exercise to happen. She later said that the people had arranged the welcoming exercise voluntarily as a ‘display of affection’.