Sub-Collector caught in TDP-YCP crossfire

Madanapalli (Chittoor Dist): Madanapalli Sub-Collector K Vetri Selvi on Saturday is literally caught in the crossfire between the ruling TDP and the YSRCP. In a bid to be a peacemaker for the warring groups, the IAS officer of 2014 batch reportedly had her blood and sugar levels dropped and swooned in her chair at an official programme. She was later shifted to a government hospital for treatment.

Tempers ran high between YSRC local MLA Desai Tippa Reddy and Madanapalli municipal chairman Kodavali Sivaprasad of the TDP at a function held in connection with the bhoomi booja for execution of “Housing for all scheme” held at Kollabylu village. Aided by his party MLA, the village sarpanch Mahesh Kumar entered into heated arguments with the municipal authorities over turning their village as a refuge for the denizens of Madanapalli town.

Continued on As a result, the din caused by the wordy duel between the TDP and the YSRC leaders marred the official programme. An upset Selvi was at her best pacifying the warring groups to restore piece. When there were no signs of her efforts yielding any results, she lost cool, according to eyewitness accounts.

Vetri Selvi, a native of Chennai, took charge as Sub-Collector of Madanapalli Sub Division in November, last year soon after completing training in Prakasam district.

The administration’s decision to build colonies for the urban people of Madanapalli at Kollabylu village triggered a rural-urban conflict. The YSRC championed the cause of villagers.

The latest housing programme was proposed for 3,700 beneficiaries from the municipal town in 26 acres. Similarly, Babu colony was built in the same village in two phases with 800 houses since 1996 again to benefit the urban dwellers. The sarpanch said the village by virtue of its location close to Madanapalli town has become victim of rapid urban growth. “We are losing our farm lands to housing colonies meant for urban people. But our village is denied basic amenities”, rues Mahesh Kumar. The village sees no development except a few hand bores and street lights, he said.

The YSRCP MLA expressed serious concern that the alleged lack of vision on the part of the administration is fast making way for demographic imbalances in the village. The village is originally inhabited by around 5,000 people. Its population is poised to go up to another 5,000 due to massive housing programmes initiated by the administration for urban dwellers of Madanapalli.

Meanwhile, the municipal chairman took diatribe against the YSRC leaders, dubbing them anti- development.

V Pradeep Kumar