YSRCP leader Sudhakar Babu calls murder of party activist a "government killing"

According to a release, he called the alleged murder of party activist Salman of Pinnelli village in Gurazala constituency a "government killing".

Addressing the media at the YSRCP central office, Babu alleged that hundreds of party workers continue to live outside their villages due to threats by ruling party leaders and local police. He added that Salman was brutally beaten to death with iron rods.

He announced that protests would be organised in district headquarters across the state in association with Dalit organisations.

The YSRCP leader said that the attacks against Dalits have increased ever since the coalition came to power. He alleged that "Dalit welfare schemes have been halted, while Dalit families are being terrorised through violence, social boycotts, and political intimidation", the release read.

He said the murder of Salman reflects an attempt to re-establish feudal dominance over Dalits and the poor. Babu further appealed to Dalit organisations and democratic forces to join statewide protests, asserting that the YSRCP will fight relentlessly until justice is delivered to Salman's family and those responsible are punished.

YSR Congress Party president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy slammed Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Friday over the death of a YSRCP worker, allegedly beaten to death by iron rods, accusing the CM of engaging in "violent politics."In a detailed post on X, Reddy questioned the Chief Minister over the death of the party worker from Pinnelli village in the Gurazala constituency, calling the deceased -- namely Manda Salman -- "a victim of the consequences of Telugu Desam Party's (TDP) rule".

"Are you even eligible to govern? How many lives will you sacrifice for political parties? Even while holding the Chief Minister's post, will you engage in such chaos under the guise of the Red Book Constitution and political governance? What answer do you have for the murder of our party worker from Pinnelli village in the Gurazala constituency, Manda Salman--a Dalit, a poor man--who fell victim to the consequences of your party's rule?" Reddy accused.

Further in the post, Reddy alleged that a series of such "politically violent attacks" is being carried out by the Chief Minister and the ruling party, calling them ways to "suppress the YSRCP forever."

"Is it a crime for Salman to go to his own village to see his ailing wife, only to be beaten with iron rods and murdered? On top of that, do they file a false complaint against Salman himself? Is this the heinous act you came to power for? This incident is part of the ongoing series of politically violent attacks being carried out and orchestrated by you, your party members, and some police officials to intimidate and suppress the YSRCP forever," he stated in the post.

Reddy asserted that his party will stand for the deceased's family, adding that the CM will "have to pay the price" for such incidents. (ANI)