YSR Congress Party State Coordinator Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy alleged on Sunday that the assault on former minister Ambati Rambabu was a “pre-planned conspiracy aimed at physically eliminating a senior opposition leader.” He stated the violence and police conduct reveal a serious breakdown of law and order.
After visiting Rambabu’s residence in Guntur with senior party leaders and offering condolences to his family, Sajjala claimed armed groups moved through the city from morning carrying sticks and stones in a coordinated fashion. He said the police failed to intervene even when Rambabu’s life was under threat.
Sajjala criticised police for providing protection to controversial banners linked to the Tirumala laddu controversy while “looking the other way” as mobs attempted to attack Rambabu. He also stated calls to the Director General of Police (DGP) went unanswered, and a former Home Minister was made to wait outside the Superintendent of Police’s residence when lodging a complaint. “If Rambabu had made any mistake, legal action should have been taken instead of mob violence,” he added.
He argued the attack aimed to divert public attention from the Central Bureau of Investigation-Special Investigation Team (CBI-SIT) charge sheet and reports by national institutions like the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), which found no animal fat in the ghee used for Tirumala laddus, contradicting earlier allegations by ruling alliance leaders. Sajjala accused the ruling party of distorting reports, installing provocative flex banners statewide, and targeting YSRCP leaders who protested.
“Rambabu had even expressed regret over his remarks, yet mobs allegedly mobilised in large numbers and vandalised his house and vehicles in full public view,” said the YSRCP leader. He questioned the lack of action despite repeated complaints about abusive language and online threats against YSRCP leaders, while swift action followed against opposition voices. Sajjala stated the series of attacks on multiple YSRCP leaders demonstrates a deliberate attempt to instil fear and unrest.
He asserted YSRCP will pursue the matter legally, raise it in Parliament, document video evidence, identify participants, and ensure strict legal punishment for attackers and any officials who aided them. “Violence will not silence the opposition, and the party will use every constitutional means available to seek accountability,” he added.
Earlier on Sunday, police increased security at Ambati Rambabu’s residence following alleged vandalism by Telugu Desam Party (TDP) activists. A large number of TDP activists gathered outside Rambabu’s house on Saturday night, reportedly damaging his residence and office, vandalising vehicles on the premises, and setting some on fire.
In response, police deployed additional personnel around the residences and offices located in the Vikas Nagar area, under the direction of Guntur District Superintendent of Police Vakul Jindal.
Meanwhile, Rambabu was arrested at his Vikas Nagar residence a day earlier after police surrounded the area, took him into custody, and escorted him in a police van, according to the Guntur West Deputy Superintendent of Police.
The protest was reportedly prompted by alleged abusive remarks against Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu attributed to Ambati Rambabu. TDP workers demanded an immediate public apology from Rambabu, warning that failure to comply would lead them to request police action for the alleged abuse.