Gudivada tense as TDP team prevented from probing casino row

Visakhapatnam Tension broke out in Gudivada, a prosperous town with a population of little over one lakh in Krishna district as a large number of police arrested several TDP leaders foiling their attempt to visit a convention hall here, where casino, cockfights and sleazy dances were organised at Sankranti festival at the behest of Minister Kodali Nani.

Police brandished lathis to bring the situation under control after incidents of stone-pelting. Hundreds of YSRCP activists also rushed to the venue on hearing about the visit of TDP leaders as part of a fact-finding committee set up by party president N. Chandrababu Naidu to probe into the casino incident.

Nani after recovering from COVID-10 told the media that there was no truth in the allegations made by the TDP and the media supporting it. "Yes. I own the convention centre spread over two and half years. There was no casino or dance at the venue. If the allegations are proved I am ready to quit politics and commit suicide," he said.

TDP committee members Varla Ramaiah, Konakala Narayana, Kollu Ravindra, Bonda Uma and others said they had been asked by Chandrababu Naidu to gather information on the gambling and dances organised at the convention centre at Gudivada. "We are attacked and arrested. My car was vandalised. But don't know why not a single YSRCP activist present at the venue was not taken into custody," Uma said.

On the other hand, Nuzvid DSP B. Srinivasulu and his team visited the venue and interrogated some persons. He was named as the investigation officer after TDP and others submitted a representation to Krishna SP Siddharth Kaushal alleging the direct involvement of Kodalii Nani in the incident.The DSP is expected to submit the report by Sunday.

Video clippings and photos on casino, three patta (three card) and other gambling programmes with dances went viral in social media platforms as well as the local media on Monday. The three-day programme was allegedly organised from January 14.

Reports said the organisers charged Rs.10,000 per head for entry and offered complimentary unlimited food and beverages. The turnover was estimated at Rs.200 crore. Sources said cheer girls and bouncers were also deployed at the three-day celebration.

Earlier, the SP said they will not spare anyone who is involved in illegal activity. On the other hand, former Minister and TDP leader Nakka Anand Babu said that there was an attempt to bail out the main accused and hold some innocent persons as scapegoats in the casino incident. He said his party is in favour of a judicial probe.