With workers of TDP and BJP present in good number and raising slogans and showing photos right from the beginning of the meeting on foundation and inauguration of roads by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu a charged situation for better part of the meeting .
As soon as the meeting had begun, some shouted ‘Modi, Modi’ and ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and in favour of BJP. The slogans subsided when Mr. Gadkari warning that it was a government function and he would walk out of the meeting if any slogans were raised. However, the slogans and showing of photos resumed later as MP K. Haribabu and Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao spoke. Workers of both the parties indulged in altercations and heated exchanges with some claiming that TDP cadres were also present but remained disciplined.
It was Roads and Buildings Minister Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu who drilled some sense into the slogan-shouting cadres stating that all of ‘us are Telugus’ and asking them not to bring disrepute to Visakhapatnam. ‘‘It was not the forum for politics and the time is ahead where we can decide it,’’ he said hinting at elections.
Recalling Mr. Gadkari’s contribution, Mr. Parudu said when he was Rural Development Minister he received 12 awards.
When Mr. Gadkari began his speech, he warned the crowd again and afterwards the crowd remained silent barring an occasional applause.