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Lalita Iyer
Lalita Iyer

politics

Chiranjeevi backs Kapu leader; will Pawan Kalyan follow the suit?

Chiranjeevi K. Chiranjeevi | PTI

It took some time, but finally actor turned politician K. Chiranjeevi came out in support of Kapu leader Mudragada Padmanabham and condemned the way that the Andhra government was handling the reservation issue.

Demanding a CBI inquiry into the Tuni violence, the Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member said, "No one supports the violence in Tuni.

Chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced soon after the violence in Tuni that no one from East Godavari district was involved in the arson. He said a few people from Rayalaseema were behind the episode.

The police have now arrested people from East Godavari district.

With Chiranjeevi taking the side of the Kapu community to which he belongs, it will now be interesting to see reaction of his star younger brother Pawan Kalyan. Because Pawan had supported the TDP/BJP combine during the general elections.

If his support too goes to the Kapu community, Naidu will have to think of a new strategy to deal with the problem.

Having said that the good news is that both the brothers do not see eye-to-eye where politics is concerned and with Chiru joining the Kapu bandwagon, Naidu is probably spared the embarrassment and trouble of worrying about Pawan.

While the senior hero wanted the state government to implement BC sub plan, categorise SCs and provide reservations for Kapus, he accused Naidu of giving a political colour to the Kapu agitation for reservation.

The agitation by Kapus, seeking inclusion in the Backward Classes category, had turned violent at Tuni on January 31 when the protesters went on a rampage setting on fire a passenger train, and a police station, besides police and private vehicles.

The Andhra Pradesh Crime Investigation Department (CID) has arrested six persons in connection with the train burning incident.

Meanwhile Padmanabham began an indefinite fast at his residence at Kirlampudi village in East Godavari district demanding the release of those arrested. The fasting leader was arrested and forcefully taken to the hospital in Rajahmundry, where it is said he is continuing his fast and refusing medical treatment.

Now the CID has arrested six more persons in connection with the Tuni case.

Fifty five of Mudragada's supporters were also taken into custody and kept in Kakinada Three Town police station but since their involvement was not established, they were released on station bail.

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