Vasantha Nageswara Rao Booked for Obstructing Public Servants

In a case of political posturing and possible misunderstandings, Vasantha Nageswara Rao, the former Home Minister for Andhra Pradesh was booked by police under sections of the law pertaining to obstructing public servants from dispensing their duties. The allegations were leveled against him by Narasimha Rao, Guntupally Panchayat Secretary and TDP leader, who registered a complaint with the police that Nageswara Rao had threatened him during a phone call that took place on September 7, 2018. The conversation was over the erecting of YRS Congress Party banners. This was tagged on to another allegation of Nageswara Rao threatening Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao, Water Resources Minister, with “dire consequences” during a separate conversation over the phone. It was a partial recording of these that was released and prompted the police to take action against Nageswara Rao. Speaking in his defense, Nageswara Rao said, “I have worked many years with TDP leaders like Kodela Sivaprasada Rao, Ch Ayyannapatrudu, Gorantla Bucchaiah Chowdary and many others. They know me well. I feel very sad that I have been booked in a case at the age of 72. Could they prove that I had resorted to murder politics and misused my powers? As I am close to Narasimha Rao, I have enquired about his family members. I am pained that after many contributions to the state and society, I am being accused of resorting to murder politics. If my words have hurt them, I apologise.” It remains to be seen how this matter will be resolved.