There have been allegations right from the day one, the so-called free sand supply policy of the Telugu Desam Party-led coalition government in Andhra Pradesh has gone for a toss, as the ruling party leaders have converted it into a money-spinning activity.
While the YSR Congress party leaders who made big money through sand mining during the Jagan Mohan Reddy government stepped back after the change of the government in the state, the TDP leaders have been continuing the looting spree.
In some places, the TDP leaders are fighting among themselves for gaining control over sand mining and whoever is strong is suppressing the other TDP leaders. In the latest instance, popular TDP leader B Tech Ravi from Pulivendula is ruling roost in Kadapa sand mining.
Ravi and his followers are not hesitating to assault their own party leaders to gain control over sand reaches in the district.
On Friday, followers of B Tech Ravi assaulted Prakash, a resident of Vempalli and a follower of TDP MLC Bhumireddy Ramgopal Reddy, for allegedly bidding for sand transport.
As Prakash was arriving at Ahobilam school in Pulivendula to write the ration shop examination, Ravi’s followers took him away and attacked him.
The incident sparked protests, with TDP MLC Rangaopal Reddy’s wife, Uma Devi, staging a dharna demanding Prakash’s release.
The previous day, Ravi’s followers guarded the entrance of the Kadapa collectorate office, preventing any competitors from entering. They issued threats, questioning how tenders could be submitted without their approval.
While sand was offered free of charge, the government had called for tenders only to charge for excavation and transportation. More competition among bidders would result in lower charges, benefiting the public.
Tenders were invited for two sand reaches in Chakrayapeta mandal and one in Siddavatam mandal, part of Pulivendula constituency.
While the deadline for submitting tenders was 5:30 PM on Thursday, Ravi’s followers camped at the mining office from 3 PM onwards, blocking the entrance and declaring that only they could submit tenders.
Leaders already involved in sand transportation from existing reaches in the district resorted to brawls to secure an additional three reaches.
TDP and Jana Sena leaders from Kadapa, Valluru, Kamalapuram, Devunikadapa, Siddavatam, and Ontimitta attempted to participate in the tender process but were stopped at the entrance. Ravi’s followers issued threats to deter them.
Media personnel alerted the police, leading to Kadapa One-Town CI Ramakrishna arriving at the mining office with a police team. The situation escalated to the point where police officers were ignored and shoved aside.
A frustrated CI Ramakrishna expelled all disruptors and permitted those who had come to submit tenders to do so within the allotted time.
Other coalition leaders eventually submitted their tenders as well. Angered with this, Ravi’s followers attacked the TDP MLC’s followers, sources said.
