Hours before the polling for municipal elections in Greater Hyderabad, Telangana BJP President Bandi Sanjay's car was allegedly attacked by some unknown persons on Necklace Road.
Tension prevailed at People's Plaza on the banks of Hussain Sagar lake on Tuesday night when Sanjay’s car was attacked by unknown persons. The windowpanes of the vehicle were damaged.
The incident led to protest by BJP leaders and their supporters, who demanded action against the attackers. Slogan-shouting protesters refused to leave the place, but the police pacified and dispersed them.
Police denied that there was an attempt to murder Sanjay. A police officer said the BJP leader had left the place and was safe. He said no one was injured, adding that it was an altercation between two parties.
Joint Commissioner of Police, Central Zone, P. Viswaprasad denying allegations of attack against Sanjay in a statement said: “There was no attack on Bandi Sanjay, BJP Party President as is being reported in the news channels. There was no attempt of murder on him. No injuries on his person. There was no incident of attack whatsoever on him. It was an altercation between two political parties on the suspicion that he is moving in Necklace Road area with cash to distribute the same. The fact is that Bandi Sanjay came to Necklace road for evening walk. At about 8.30 pm, police received information that he was moving in Necklace road. On receipt of information, the Inspector, Ramgopalpet PS along with his staff reached the spot and requested him to leave the place as it is an isolated place and not advisable to move in the area. He has agreed to leave after having tiffin at Eat Street restaurant. After having tiffin, he has left the hotel and at the same time some rival party workers of TRS came there. By the time the rival party persons could reach him, Bandi Sanjay had already left.”
The police registered a case at Ramgopalpet police station against unknown persons for the attack.
Union Minister of State for Home, G Kishan Reddy, condemned the attack on Sanjay and demanded action against those involved. He alleged that the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) was misusing the police and official machinery and using unfair means to win the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections.
Reddy warned the TRS government that if it tries to turn Telangana into another West Bengal, the BJP will not keep quiet.
Polling for the 150-member GHMC is scheduled to be held on Tuesday.