Protest against Botsa mar R-Day celebrations at Gandhi Bhavan

The Republic Day celebrations in Gandhi Bhavan here on Saturday were marred with strong protests against PCC president Botsa Satyanarayana by Telangana Congress leaders. The T-Congress leaders were angry at the PCC chief for attending the Jai Andhra Pradesh meeting organised by Rajahmundry MP Undavalli Arun Kumar on Friday.

A few moments after the flag hoisting, PCC vice-president and MLC Indrasena Reddy entered into an argument with Botsa while questioning his presence in the Jai Andhra Pradesh meeting. Rajya Sabha MPs V Hanumantha Rao and Anand Bhaskar supported Indrasena Reddy and sought his clarification over attending the meeting.

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and Deputy CM Damodar Rajanarsimha, who witnessed the entire scene, remained silent. The situation turned soar, when defending Botsa, Primary Education Minister S Sailajanath intervened and said that the PCC chief had every right to attend the meeting which was meant to keep the State united.

In response, PCC General Secretary G Niranjan presented a "kanduva" to the PCC chief while raising "Jai Telangana". Soon the "Jai Telangana" slogan was replaced with "Seemandhra leaders Go Back", Labour Minsiter Danam Nagender and MLC Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy intervened and tried to pacify the agitating leaders.

To diffuse tension, Botsa went to his chamber along with the Chief Minister in Gandhi Bhavan. However, he was followed by the Telangana leaders who continued their argument. Sources say that the Chief Minister did not try to pacify the Telangana leaders and left for Parade Grounds.

Sources say that Botsa defended his decision of participating in Arun Kumar's meeting and said he had every right to express his feelings in a democratic country. Further, he offered to attend a meeting of Telangana leaders. The Deputy Chief Minister, Panchayat Raj Minister and former minister Mohammad Ali Shabbir reportedly pulled up Botsa in his chambers for his stand over the issue.

Earlier, the Telangana leaders also boycotted the breakfast hosted by the PCC president.