The Rachchabanda programme at Denduluru in West Godavari district ran into trouble today as the TDP MLA Mr Chintamaneni Prabhakar objected to the proceedings saying the officials have not followed protocol formalities. Later, police arrested Prabhakar for creating nuisance at the programme.

Congress MP Mr Kavuri Sambasiva Rao argued with Prabhakar over the issue and soon Minister Vatti Vasanthakumar joined the arguments. The situation turned so tense that both Vasanthakumar and Prabhakar resorted to physical blows against each other in the presence of police and other guests on the stage. In the melee, Prabhakar fell down.

Soon, the TDP activists raised slogans against the Minster and said they would not allow the programme to go on. Police than lathi charged them and arrested the MLA Prabhakar.

TDP leader Mr Yerram Naidu found fault with the minister and said Mr Vasanthakumar’s behaviour was unbecoming of a minister. “The Rachchabanda programme has turned into a congress party programme and is not useful at all for people when they can’t bring their grievances to the notice of the Government,” he told journalists in Hyderabad. (JUBS)