Thaindian News

Hyderabad, May 11 (IANS) Denied permission to address the media at the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) office, former Andhra Pradesh minister P. Shankar Rao Friday lodged a police complaint against Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy for violating provisions of the the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The senior legislator, who has been publicly attacking the chief minister, termed him anti-Dalit. Shankar Rao, who is the member of assembly from Secunderabad Cantonment constituency, alleged that he was being deprived of his rights as a legislator.

He also submitted a breach of privilege notice and a complaint under the SC/ST Act to the assembly speaker, and threatened to launch a protest if no action was taken on his complaint in 24 hours.

Shankar Rao said he would also approach the state human rights commission.

For the second consecutive day, Shankar Rao visited the CLP office in the assembly premises but found the press room locked. The office staff told him that he had not taken a permission from the CLP secretary to hold a press conference there.

Embarrassed over the criticism of the chief minister by Shankar Rao and Health Minister D.L. Ravindra Reddy, the CLP has banned the duo from using the party office to address the media.

“This is illegal confinement. Locking somebody in his house or not allowing him to enter the house both come under illegal confinement,” the legislator said.

Shankar Rao, who was dropped from the cabinet in February this year, has already filed a case against the chief minister in the Andhra Pradesh High Court, alleging that he is involved in illegal exports of red sander.