Election officials conducted surprise raids at homes of BRS party leaders on Friday as the Jubilee Hills Assembly election approaches. The searches targeted two prominent political figures in Hyderabad.
The flying squad raided the Moti Nagar residence of former MLA Marri Janardhan Reddy. Officials also searched the home of MLC Ravinder Rao in Tekkalapally.
Janardhan Reddy was not present during the morning raid. He had been campaigning in the Rehmatnagar division since 6 am. When news of the search reached him, the BRS leader rushed back with his supporters.
Police blocked Janardhan Reddy from entering his own home. This sparked protests from party workers who argued their leader should be allowed into his residence. The situation created significant tension in the area.
The former MLA accused authorities of playing politics through these raids. Janardhan Reddy claimed the timing was deliberate to damage his reputation. He said officials arrived at 7 am, took keys from his security guard, and locked the house before beginning their search.
Janardhan Reddy demanded the search happen in his presence. He raised concerns about potential misconduct, suggesting police might plant evidence. The BRS leader alleged officials brought money bags to frame him.
Ravinder Rao questioned why his home was searched at all. He pointed out his residence lies outside the Jubilee Hills constituency boundaries. The MLC called the raid illegal and accused the ruling party of orchestrating a conspiracy against BRS leaders.
Both politicians denied any wrongdoing and characterized the searches as politically motivated harassment ahead of the crucial assembly election.
