Popular Congress leader Revanth Reddy detained by police

With the political fervour hitting its peak ahead of the elections in Telangana, a new drama unfolded in the wee hours of Tuesday in Kodangal. Congress firebrand and Telangana leader Revanth Reddy was taken into custody by police ahead of the incumbent Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao’s public meeting in the constituency. The police broke into the politician’s house and whisked him away amid chaos.

Reddy, who is the Congress candidate from Kodangal, had called for bandh today in the area, asking people not to attend KCR‘s meeting today.

Speaking to the media persons, Revanth Reddy’s wife, Geetha Reddy said, “Around 3 am in the morning, about 50 policemen broke open into our house and dragged my husband away like some terrorist.” She further questioned the police’s right to break into anyone’s house and detain people at their will.

Several Congress leaders have condemned the arrest and called it “unconstitutional”. The leaders further alleged that TRS was resorting to such steps fearing its loss in the upcoming elections.

“It’s highly condemnable that Telangana Police arrested Congress Working President & Kodangal MLA Revanth Reddy at 3 am today because CM K. Chandrasekhar Rao is holding a rally there. We appeal to EC that such intimidation goes against the spirit of free & fair elections,” tweeted Karnataka Congress leader, DK Shivakumar.

Earlier, Telangana Rashtriya Samiti (TRS) candidate P Narendra Reddy had lodged a complaint with the Election Commission (EC) and accused Revanth Reddy of instigating people ahead of KCR’s public meeting in Kodangal.

The polls in Telangana are set to be held on 7 December with the results for the 119 constituencies to be announced on 11 December.