The attack on the vehicle of Allagadda MLA Bhuma Akhila Priya, last evening by the opposition YSRCP workers when she was on her way to the AP secretariat in Amaravati capital region, has sparked political rivalry. She and her father Bhuma Nagi Reddy were elected as YSRCP MLAs from Kurnool district, but last year they had `defected’ to TDP, without resigning as MLAs.

This incident was reported in Mandadam village, near interim secretariat Velagapudi, after the passing of the leader of opposition YS Jaganmohan Reddy’s convey. At that time, Akhila Priya was travelling in her car along with her gunman and driver on her way to secretariat, after meeting TDP national general secretary Nara Lokesh.

“The car had to come to a sudden halt as there was a crowd on the road. A circle inspector on duty saw us and said the way was blocked as a rally was going on. By that time some people in the crowd saw me and before we realised what was happening, several youths gathered around the car and started pounding the windshields as if to break the glass, while shouting loudly. They were not chanting any slogans as such,” she added.

She also said that the situation was such that they could not reverse the vehicle, but her gunman along with the Inspector managed to make way and the car could reverse. She went to the Secretariat by a different route. “Later, I was informed by my driver that those who mobbed our vehicle were in an inebriated state,” she added.

Bhuma Nagi Reddy has strongly condemned the incident and demanded that Jaganmohan Reddy should also condemn it. “If we too follow his way, could he or his party move in my area? He should understand and restrain his cadre from resorting to such mischief,” he said.

Minister for Water Resources Devineni Umamaheswara Rao describing the attack on the women legislator as an irresponsible act, said police should take stern measures to ensure such incidents do not recur.