A tense atmosphere prevailed in Pithapuram constituency, represented by deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan, in Kakinada district with cadres of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Jana Sena Party indulging in a bitter feud.
The latest dispute erupted during a government programme held near the Pithapuram Urban Development Authority office under the PMAJAYM initiative on Tuesday over a flex banner that allegedly did not feature the photograph of chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
Former MLA and newly-appointed TDP vice-president S V S N Varma expressed strong displeasure over the omission of Naidu’s picture and engaged in a heated argument with Jana Sena district president Tummalababu.
The situation became tense when former MLA Pendem Dorababu, who defected from YSR Congress party to Jana Sena last year, confronted Varma, leading to a verbal altercation that soon turned physical.
Supporters from both parties reportedly pushed and jostled each other before police intervened to restore order.
Reacting strongly, Varma accused Dorababu of attempting to dominate local politics. He stated that TDP leaders were maintaining restraint only due to directions from Chandrababu Naidu.
Varma insisted that the Chief Minister’s photograph must be included in all official programme materials and warned of consequences if any disrespect was shown.
He also emphasized that Pawan Kalyan’s electoral victory in Pithapuram was supported by TDP and warned against any insult to the deputy CM.
Alleging corruption against Dorababu, Varma claimed that leaders switching from the YSRCP should “behave responsibly,” issuing a stern warning.
Despite the clash, Varma maintained that there is no fundamental conflict between TDP and Jana Sena, describing the alliance as “one family.”
This is not the first such incident. A similar dispute occurred last month during a sanitation workers’ training programme, where Varma objected to the small size of Chandrababu Naidu’s image on a flex banner and staged a protest by sitting off-stage before leaving the event midway.
Varma, who actively worked for Pawan Kalyan’s victory in the last elections, was earlier promised an MLC position by Chandrababu Naidu but has yet to receive one.
Although he was recently appointed as TDP state vice-president, recurring tensions between TDP and Jana Sena cadres in Pithapuram continue to surface, with the latest altercation drawing significant attention.