CPI, BJP activists clash during protest over SCS

High drama: CPI activists in a heated exchange with BJP leaders at their office in Vijayawada.

High drama: CPI activists in a heated exchange with BJP leaders at their office in Vijayawada.   | Photo Credit: CH_VIJAYA BHASKAR

Left party activists lay siege to BJP office

Tension prevailed at the BJP State office here as hundreds of CPI activists led by city secretary Donepudi Sankar laid siege to the office on Monday morning, shouting slogans and displaying placards.

The activists, including several women, sat in front of the BJP office and used public address systems to raise slogans against the BJP government at the Centre.

The slogans were more particularly aimed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing him of backstabbing the newly-formed Andhra Pradesh by denying the Special Category Status.

β€œIt is Mr. Modi who is responsible for the present crisis in the State as he went back on his word to take care of Andhra Pradesh post bifurcation,” said Mr. Sankar.

As the sloganeering reached a crescendo, the BJP members, led by former MLA Lakshmipathy Raja, barged out of their office to counter the slogans aired by the the Left party members and started a counter offensive. The policemen who arrived in good number swung into action when both activists started exchanging fisticuffs. They bundled CPI city secretary Sankar and others into a vehicle and left the place.

Later in the evening, CPI, CPI(M) and other Left activists took out a rally at Lenin Centre in protest against the high-handedness of the BJP men.