A gigantic political row has erupted in Andhra Pradesh over the installation of a statue of tyrant ruler Tipu Sultan in Proddatur town in Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh.

According to reports, the Andhra Pradesh government led by Jagan Mohan Reddy has arrested several BJP leaders for protesting against the state government over the installation of the Tipu Sultan statue. On Friday, police arrested BJP state general secretary Vishnuvardhan Reddy and other party leaders for protesting against the government’s decision.

BJP Andhra Pradesh co-incharge Sunil Deodhar alleged that the YSRCP government in the state is erecting the Tipu Sultan's statue in the Kadapa district for "vote bank" politics and warned of a large scale protest over the issue.

"The Jagan Mohan Reddy government in the state is erecting the Tipu Sultan's statue at the Kadapa district for mere a vote bank politics and the party will be going ahead with the larger scale agitation against the installation of the statue," Deodhar said. "Tipu Sultan was a barbaric king who killed thousands of Hindus and converted lakhs of Hindus to Islam. We cannot tolerate such act by the Jagan Mohan Reddy government," he said.

"Now only for mere vote bank politics and to appease the locals in Kadapa region, where there is a sizeable vote of Muslims, the local MLA started Bhumi Puja without any permission from the local administration," the comments added.

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