By IANS,
Hyderabad: Congress MP from Vijayawada L.Rajagopal Monday threatened to hit a leader of his own party who publicly criticised him.
The incident took place at Chittela village of Tirupuru constituency in Krishna district when the MP was participating in “Racchabanda”, a public interaction programme launched across Andhra Pradesh Monday.
As the MP was hearing grievances from the villagers, local Congress leader K.Ashok questioned him if he was raising the slogan of “Samaikya Andhra (united Andhra)” to protect his business and assets in Hyderabad.
Rajagopal, an industrialist who owns Lanco Group of companies, reacted angrily to this remark, rushed towards Ashok and pushed him, and raised his hand at him in full public view. The MP’s supporters later forced Ashok to leave the venue.
Rajagopal is strongly opposed to the demand for separate statehood to Telangana region, which includes Hyderabad and he has been in the forefront of the Samaikya Andhra campaign to keep Andhra Pradesh united.