The Friday's violence perpetrated by the Telugu Desam Party ranks at Punganur in Chittoor district, following instigating speech given by party president and former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu has now become a hot topic of debate within his party.
According some sections of the party, the aggressive approach taken by Naidu would do more harm to the party than good, while another section feels such an approach was necessary to send a strong message to the people and the cadre that Naidu still has the fighting abilities.
It is not the first time that Naidu has lost his cool and shot his mouth off at the YSR Congress party; he had done it before at several meetings. But on Friday, he appeared to be in a completely different mood.
He completely removed his mask and appeared like a typical rowdy, provoking the party workers to attack the police and chase the YSRC workers away.
“I’ll teach you about laws, dare to face me. DSP, remove that uniform you are wearing,” he shouted.
Pointing out at the police, Naidu further said: “They are all paid workers. Dare to face me, we will see your end.”
A senior TDP leader said such kind abuses would not augur well for the party, as the ruling party has the men and machinery to quickly take it among the people and send negative messages about the party.
“All these days, we have been telling the people that chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy and his party leaders and cadre are indulging in rowdyism and factionism. What message we would be giving to them by attacking the policemen, burning their vehicles and damaging their cars?” he asked.
He said the police machinery would successfully convey to the people that Naidu was also behaving like a rowdy and was not a dignified politician as he was being projected all these leaders.
“If they don’t find any difference between Jagan and Naidu, how can they vote for the TDP?” he asked.
However, another TDP leader said Naidu’s changed approach would definitely embolden the party cadres to work hard in the coming elections.
“At this age, Naidu is struggling hard to bring his party to power. While other leaders of the party are confined to air-conditioned rooms, he is running from street to street. This will definitely activate the party,” he said.
According to him, it is nothing but natural for a 74-year-old leader like Naidu to lose patience, when the police and the ruling party people create hurdles for his rallies.
“There is nothing wrong in using strong language against the rivals,” he said, but felt that the workers should not have indulged in violence.
