Shoe hurled at BJP leader during live TV discussion

Hyderabad: Kolikapudi Srinivasa Rao, a representative of the Amravati Joint Action Committee, threw his footwear at BJP Andhra Pradesh State General Secretary, S Vishnuvardhan, during a live discussion on Telugu news channel ABN Andhrajyoti. The debate was adjourned following a conflict.

The discussion was regarding the government's decision to extend the guarantee to procure Rs 3,000 crore for the Amravati projects. Srinivasa Rao was incensed when the BJP leader alleged that the former chief minister travelled via air for taking loans and publicized it.

When he further alleged that Srinivasa Rao was a proponent of the Telugu Desam Party, Srinivasa Rao took off his shoes and threw them at Vishnuvardhan sitting beside him. With this, Vishnuvardhan got up from his seat and charged towards Rao. The anchor took a break as soon as he realized that this was getting out of control.

The ABN Anchor apologized to the audience for the untoward incidents that happened in the studio. The channel clarified that it would co-operate if the BJP leader takes any legal actions. The BJP has demanded that the channel authorities lodge a complaint with the police. However, the channel has made it clear that Srinivasa Rao will not take part in any more debates from now on.