Known for his aggressive behaviour and controversial remarks, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MLA from the Tiruvuru constituency Kolikapudi Srinivasa Rao has once again stirred up controversy, this time over allegations that he assaulted a schoolteacher.
Andhra Pradesh Social Welfare Board Chairman Pothula Balakotaiah has lodged a complaint with TDP State President Palla Srinivasa Rao, seeking action against the MLA over the alleged incident.
In his letter, Balakotaiah alleged that Kolikapudi summoned Merugu Ramesh, a Physical Education Teacher (PET) working at Zilla Parishad High School in Narasapuram village of Vissannapeta mandal, to his residence on September 25.
He alleged that the MLA abused the teacher and assaulted him with a stick. Balakotaiah urged the TDP leadership to initiate immediate action against the MLA.
According to the complaint, Ramesh belongs to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community. The school's headmistress, who was also allegedly summoned to the MLA's residence, belongs to the SC community as well.
Balakotaiah alleged that the incident was triggered by a decision to invite a local TDP leader, instead of the MLA, as the chief guest for a sports event recently held at the school.
He alleged that Kolikapudi had the teacher and headmistress summoned to his residence through the Deputy District Educational Officer (Dy. DEO) and questioned them over the issue.
Balakotaiah said the MLA's conduct was inappropriate and alleged that such incidents were damaging the image of both the TDP and the government.
However, Kolikapudi rejected the allegations and offered a different version of events. He claimed that PET Ramesh had recently assaulted another teacher working at the same school.
He also alleged that Ramesh had sent girl students to other places for sports activities without the supervision of teachers or parents.
The MLA further claimed that the school had performed poorly in last year's Class X examinations, with 11 of the 22 students failing. He alleged that the students had been adversely affected by the way sports activities were being conducted.
Kolikapudi said he had therefore summoned the Dy. DEO, Mandal Educational Officer (MEO), headmistress and PET to his residence to discuss issues concerning the functioning of the school.
He said he had questioned Ramesh firmly and sent him away, after which he held discussions with the other education officials about the school's situation.
“I did not beat or assault anyone. I did not ill-treat anyone,” the MLA said.
Kolikapudi has been involved in controversies in the past, including differences with Vijayawada MP Kesineni Chinni and disputes over various issues in the Tiruvuru constituency.
Interestingly, Kolikapudi and Chinni recently attended a programme during Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar's visit to Tiruvuru, but the two were reportedly seen maintaining their distance from each other.
