Andhra Pradesh Home Minister V. Anitha on Wednesday accused Yuvajan Shramic Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) president and the former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy of making a political environment where derogatory remarks against women go unchallenged.
Addressing the media at Payakaraopeta in Anakapalli district Anitha said that the YSRCP president should “first learn to respect women before engaging in politics”.
“Mr. Reddy doesn’t even respect his sister. How can we expect his party leaders to behave appropriately?” she added.
She accused that his silence on the recent controversial statements made by YSRCP former MLA Nallapareddy Prasanna Kumar Reddy on Kovur MLA Vemireddy Prasanthi Reddy, would provoke others to speak and act irresponsibly towards women without any accountability too.
The AP Home Minister sought Reddy’s response on the ‘violent remarks made by the YSRCP supporters’. “How can he say that there is nothing to worry about such statements? Is he indirectly supporting and encouraging violence?” the Home Minister questioned.
She warned that “the YSRCP may not even retain the 11 Assembly seats it won if its president does not mend his ways.” also adding that the Andhra Pradesh government would take strict action against Mr. Prasanna Kumar Reddy for his conduct.
Earlier last month Anitha also condemned the alleged attack by the YSRCP activists on women protesters at Podili in Prakasam district during the visit of Jagan Mohan Reddy
Anitha had said that Reddy was scheduled to meet tobacco farmers at Podili. However, Reddy faced protests across the state following the controversial remarks made by two journalists associated with a TV channel owned by his family. A group of women were staging a demonstration at Podili holding black balloons and placards, she said.
The police took all precautions to ensure the protests were peaceful and did not interrupt Reddy’s convoy, she said, also adding that security personnel were deployed to prevent untoward incidents.
However, shortly after the convoy passed, YSRCP supporters allegedly began hurling footwear and pelting stones at the woman protesters, while some passed derogatory remarks at them, she said.
“It seems to be a pre-planned attack. The YSRCP is deliberately trying to create unrest, panic and disrespect women,” the Home Minister said, adding that three police constables received injuries in the incident.
“When people protest and demand an apology for the derogatory remarks, the YSRCP leaders are replying with attacks,” she observed. Adding that the previous YSRCP administration had failed to allocate ₹12 crore for maintenance of CCTV cameras, rendering many of them non-functional.
