Though the incident happened a few days back, it has come to light only now. The issue started with Minister Ponguleti going to Gadwal for Bhubharati Rythu Avagahana Sabha.
He asked the gunmen to get down and got MP Mallu Ravi, MLA Bandla Krishnamohan Reddy and ex MLA Sampath Kumar to sit in the car. On the way back, Mallu Ravi and Bandla were talking normally when the topic of Sarita Tirupatayya came up.
Bandla spoke strongly about giving importance to candidates who lost. Hearing that, Mallu Ravi was enraged and slapped Bandla. Not to be left behind, Bandla slapped Ravi back. Apparently, they then get got into a physical fight. In the incident, blood came out of Bandla's nose.
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Though Sampath Kumar tried to stop them, they did not listen. However, Ponguleti who sat in the front seat remained silent.
It is said Bandla Krishnamohan Reddy who defected from BRS has been trying to reduce the popularity of Sarita who lost in the last elections. On the other hand, Mallu Ravi has been trying to promote Sarita. While both the leaders were having protocol issues, Ponguleti was trying to calm them so far. Now by fighting physically, they have angered the Congress High Command, say Telangana Congress party insiders.