YSR Congress smells conspiracy in attack on Jagan Mohan Reddy, protests erupt in Andhra Pradesh

HYDERABAD: YSR Congress party has alleged a conspiracy behind the knife attack on its party chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy at the Visakhapatnam airport on Thursday afternoon.

YSRC, in a statement, claimed that the cafeteria at the Visakhapatnam airport was owned by ruling Telugu Desam Party leader Harshavardhan, who was aspiring to contest the next election from the district.

The party has called for a thorough probe into the stabbing incident.

Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Governor ESL Narasimhan has sought full report of the incident from the state's DGP.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu has also ordered a throough probe into the incident while condemning the attack in strongest terms.

Reddy was taken to the immediately taken to the Omega hospital shortly after his arraival in Hyderabad from Visakhapatnam. He is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital.  

YSRCP leader Jaganmohan Reddy is undergoing treatment at Omega Hospital in Hyderabad. He was stabbed on arm with a knife by a waiter at Visakhapatnam airport earlier today. #AndhraPradesh pic.twitter.com/vQ9mb77jbb

— ANI (@ANI) October 25, 2018

YSRC cadre, meanwhile, resorted to protests in different parts of Andhra following the attack on Jagan. 

Reddy was injured when he was attacked by a man with a small knife-like object at the airport lounge while he was heading back to Hyderabad. 

Reddy, who is the leader of the Opposition in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, received a minor injury on his shoulder.

State DGP RP Thakur said the attacker was identified as J Srinivasa Rao (30), working as a waiter in the cafeteria at the Vishakhaptnam airport. 

The incident occurred around 12.30 PM, he said, adding CISF personnel immediately apprehended him and handed him over to the police after questioning.

The security personnel got a letter from trouser pocket of attacker Srinivas Rao.

Jagan later left for Hyderabad. Before leaving for Hyderabad, Jagan tweeted that he was copmpletely safe and thanked his supporters for their good wishes.

To everyone worried about my safety,I’d like to inform you that I am safe. God's grace&love,concern&blessings of people of Andhra will protect me.Such cowardice acts will not dissuade me but only strengthen my resolve to work for the people of my state, tweets Jaganmohan Reddy pic.twitter.com/afHdDS9RMZ

— ANI (@ANI) October 25, 2018

Police said the knife used by the attacker was one generally used in cockfights.

Commenting on the incident, a senior police official said Srinivas approached Jagan for a selfie as the YSR Congress chief got up to leave the lounge to board the aircraft to Hyderabad. Srinivas suddenly pulled out a small knife and attacked Jagan, injuring him on the left shoulder.

State Deputy Chief Minister (Home) N China Rajappa condemned the attack and said a thorough investigation has been ordered to establish the facts.

"I do not have full information but I strongly condemn the attack. A detailed investigation will be conducted into the incident," Rajappa told reporters.

Nara Lokesh, CM Chandrababu Naidu's son and IT Minister in the state government, condemned the attack saying ''such cowardly attacks have no place in society.''

Jagan, who was conducting his ongoing 'padayatra' in neighbouring Vizianagaram district, had come to the city en route to Hyderabad where he is to attend his weekly trial on Friday in connection with the disproportionate assets case.

(With PTI inputs)