Andhra Pradesh minister’s wife berates cop on camera, husband apologises after rap from CM Naidu
Andhra Pradesh minister’s wife berates cop on camera, husband apologises after rap from CM Naidu
Andhra Pradesh’s Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy and his wife Haritha Reddy are under fire after Haritha allegedly berated a police sub-inspector for arriving late to escort her to a function.
Haritha is neither an elected member nor does she hold any post, but was attending a function in Rayachoti from where her husband was recently elected, to distribute increased senior citizen pensions as promised by the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
“There was some misunderstanding between us, someone told her that as per protocol the SI will accompany her but there is no such protocol,” SI Ramesh Babu of Chinnamandem Police Station who faced her ire told The Indian Express. “Due to that misunderstanding, she had to wait for over half an hour, and when I came to know I rushed there and she had an outburst. Later in the day, at about 3 pm, I explained to her what happened and we apologised to each other. It is not a very serious matter but the video went viral,” Ramesh Babu said.
As the Opposition YSRCP criticised the attitude of the minister’s wife, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed displeasure while Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy apologised for his wife’s behaviour. “This should not have happened and I regret it. I apologise and my wife has also apologised. This will not happen again,” Reddy said. Haritha Reddy is yet to apologise publicly.
TDP officials said that the CM asked his ministers to treat police officers and government officials with respect even if they feel that they favoured YSRCP when it was in power. “The CM asked everyone not do anything that reflects poorly on the TDP Government and such incidents will not be tolerated,” TDP leader D Narendra said.
“It is embarrassing when people start asking what is the difference between arrogant YSRCP leaders and TDP,” a TDP leader said.
Police officials said that Haritha Reddy had joined her husband in distribution of the enhanced NTR Bharosa pensions at a programme held at Devagudipalli in Chinnamandem in the newly created Annamaya District on Monday morning at 9 am. At 9:30 am, SI Ramesh Babu approached Haritha, seated in the front passenger seat of a vehicle with a salute. “Is it morning now for you?,” she asked to which the SI replied that he was in a conference.
“Your Circle Inspector does not have a conference but you have? Have you come to attend a marriage, do you not know to come to duty in uniform?,” she asked the SI who seemed taken aback.
The SI apologised three times but she kept on berating him in full view of several people, implying that he was not taking his job seriously. “Did the YSRCP pay you anything? Who pays your salary? Why are you not doing your duty, I had to wait for half an hour for you,” she said.
For the latest news from across India, Political updates, Explainers, Sports News, Opinion, Entertainment Updates and more Top News, visit Indian Express. Subscribe to our award-winning Newsletter Download our App here Android & iOS