I-T raid on TDP candidate's hospital raises hackles in party

Kanigiri (Prakasam): The income tax department on Sunday conducted surprise raids on the Amaravati Medical Institute owned by Ugranarsimha Reddy who is the TDP candidate from Kanigiri constituency.

Reddy was in midst of his election campaign when the I-T sleuths landed in the hospital. Condemning the raids, the district TDP said that the Centre was resorting to such acts only to create hurdles in the campaign of the TDP candidates and prevent them from participating in the campaign. Reddy is said to be having good following in the constituency. The TDP leaders say that the Centre has prepared a list of about 30 TDP leaders who are in the election fray and soon raids would be conducted on their establishments as well.

Sources said that the I-T department may ask him to appear before them for giving explanation. In view of this, the party, after taking legal advice, is learnt to have told the candidates to be alert and also ask their auditors and representatives to appear before the I-T department to clarify the queries and not to lose time for campaign.

It is learnt that though the I-T officials tried to contact Ugranarsimha Reddy, he was not available on phone. The raids had affected the medical services in the hospital and even movement of patients was affected as even the lifts were stopped. Searches were conducted in all departments of hospital, including the reception.