Condemning the alleged verbal abuse and physical assault on a BRS MLA by Congress MP Mallu Ravi, BRS working president K. T. Rama Rao on Wednesday described the incident as a blatant attack on democracy. Reacting strongly, KTR said such behaviour reflected the alarming decline in political culture under the Congress government.

The incident took place on Tuesday in Jogulamba Gadwal district during the launch of development programmes at Paipadu in Vaddepally municipality. Mallu Ravi, the Congress MP from Nagarkurnool, allegedly pushed aside BRS MLA Vijayaram (Vijayudu) from Alampur following a dispute over protocol.

Tensions arose when the BRS MLA attempted to break coconuts as part of the traditional ritual. According to a video shared by BRS on social media, Mallu Ravi can be seen pushing the MLA and shouting, “Who are you to break the coconuts?” The event was attended by several Congress leaders, including AICC General Secretary Sampath Kumar.

After the MP performed the ritual, BRS leaders sought an opportunity for their MLA to do the same. However, Congress leaders reportedly objected, leading to a heated argument that escalated into the alleged physical confrontation.

Reacting to the episode, KTR posted that the incident was a “glaring example of the degraded politics Congress leaders have stooped to in order to intimidate the opposition and silence dissenting voices.” He said publicly humiliating an elected MLA and resorting to physical force exposed the true nature of Congress culture.

KTR demanded that Mallu Ravi issue an immediate apology and called upon Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to take moral responsibility and initiate appropriate action. “The opposition must be confronted through the people’s mandate, not through intimidation. We will not remain silent spectators to attacks on BRS leaders. We will respond firmly, but only through democratic means,” he said.

BRS leaders alleged that Congress leaders were resorting to physical intimidation as the party continued to expose alleged corruption within the ruling dispensation. They further claimed that Mallu Ravi’s anger stemmed from allegations made by MLA Vijayudu regarding an alleged ₹8 crore extortion involving Sampath Kumar.