Tensions in Nalgonda After BJP and Congress Workers Attack Premises

A tense situation prevailed in Nalgonda on Monday after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members attacked the old camp office of Roads Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, prompting Congress workers to subsequently ransack the residence of BJP district president Nagam Varshith Reddy.

The unrest in Nalgonda followed a protest by Youth Congress members in Hyderabad, during which black colour was thrown at the rear gate of the BJP state office.

Around 4:45 pm, approximately 20 BJP members led by Varshith Reddy burnt an effigy of Minister Venkat Reddy at his old camp office located in Srinagar Colony. The group tore a flex banner of the minister at the entrance and threw eggs and tomatoes at the premises before leaving prior to police arrival. Security personnel shut the main gate when the BJP members attempted to enter the property. A head constable on duty noted that he had cautioned the group against violence and stated they could have breached the premises if the gate had not been closed in time.

Following news of the attack, Congress workers assembled in large numbers at the minister’s camp office at Clock Tower Centre. Congress MLC Kethavath Shankar Naik visited the location, condemned the BJP’s actions, and noted that the premises had been rented by the minister for party workers' convenience.

Later, around 50 Congress workers allegedly went to Varshith Reddy’s residence in Himagiri Colony on Devarakonda Road, where they ransacked furniture and electronic items. Varshith Reddy’s mother, Sri Devi, who was present during the incident, alleged that Congress leader Burri Srinivas Reddy led the group into the house and used abusive language against her.

Congress workers also attempted to attack the BJP office situated near the RTC bus stand, but the gates were locked from the inside. BJP members allegedly pelted stones at the Congress workers from the party office building, which resulted in an injury to police constable K. Bala Koti.

Following the series of clashes, heavy police deployments were made at both the minister’s camp office and the BJP district office, where Varshith Reddy and other BJP workers sought shelter. Nalgonda Town-II CI Adi Reddy stated that the police had not received formal complaints from either side.