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YSRCP sheltering anti-Dalit leaders TDP

Amaravati, Apr 17 (PTI) The TDP on Wednesday alleged that the ruling YSRCP is "sheltering" anti-Dalit leaders in its party by giving them tickets to contest the polls, citing the case of Thota Trimurthulu.
A local Court in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday convicted YSRCP MLC and Mandapeta Assembly election candidate, Trimurthulu, and eight others for tonsuring and assaulting Dalits in a 28-year-old case, sentencing them to 18 months simple imprisonment, along with a penalty.
TDP spokesperson Tirunagari Jyoshna alleged that the selection of candidates of the ruling party "exposes" its anti-Dalit policy and behaviour yet again.
"The anti-Dalit policy and anti-Dalit behaviour of YSRCP is yet again exposed today with just their candidates' selection, wherein, it is very clear that they are giving shelter to anti-Dalit leaders," said Jyoshna in a statement.
The Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP gave the Mandapeta assembly constituency ticket to Trimurthulu, prompting Jyoshna to allege that the party is anti-Dalit for selecting candidates with a notorious history of crime against the downtrodden sections.
She asserted that Trimurthulu filed 148 petitions to evade punishment over the years.
Calling the YSRCP a Dalit-drohi (Dalit backstabbing) party, she reminded that another ruling party MLC, Anantha Udaya Bhaskar (Anantha Babu), was also accused of murdering his Dalit driver V Subramanyam.
Jyoshna alleged that the past five years under YSRCP had seen "continuous attacks on Dalits".
Meanwhile, senior TDP leader K S Jawahar demanded that Reddy should expel Trimurthulu from YSRCP and revoke his membership immediately if the latter genuinely upholds the Constitution and honours the principles of its architect B R Ambedkar.
"If not, Jagan Reddy's lack of action will be considered as his permission for such actions, granting them a license," said Jawahar.
Elections for the 175-member Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh are scheduled on May 13 and the counting of votes will be held on June 4.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)