Cong leaders come to blow in Telangana

Naveen S Garewal

Tribune News Service

Hyderabad, May 12

With many leaders blaming one and another for anti-party activities, the Congress saw its worst when the All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary Hanumanth Rao and his Telangana counterpart Nagesh Mudiraj came to blows in full public view, leaving party leaders red faced.

The incident took place when all opposition leaders where holding a dhrana against the recent goof-up in intermediate results that has led to about 25 suicides by students. The dharna was held jointly by the Congress, Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Telugu Jana samithi, CPI and various youth and student bodies.

According to sources, the fight started when Rao ended his speech and asked Nagesh Mudhiraj to vacate his chair for Khuntia by addressing him as “aarey” to which Nagesh objected. An agitated Rao slapped and pushed Mudiraj from the dais and the latter immediately got up and pushed Rao member down the dais. The incident happened at “Dharna Chowk” near Indira Park.

Both of them rained blows on each other, even as other leaders intervened and separated them. CPI leader Chada Venkata Reddy asked the Congress leaders to settle their difference in private and not make a mockery of the joint opposition like this. The brawl was caught on camera and immediately went viral.