TDP leader held, released

Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, Jun 20 (UNI) Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Senior Leader and Former Home Minister K Sivaprasada Rao called off his dharna late last night after the administration promised to examine his complaint of bias during scrutiny of nominations for local body elections.

Dr Rao and about 100 of his followers squatted before the gates of the Deputy Collector's office at Narsaraopet preventing Deputy Collector M Raghava Rao from leaving the office.

The TDP leader was arrested and later released after which he resumed his dharna.

Joint Collector B Rahul drove to Narsaraopet from here at midnight and spoke to Dr Rao who said the nominations of two TDP candidates were rejected as they were in arrears of House Tax.

Dr Rao said every effort made by them to pay the taxes went in vain as nobody collected them.

However, the nominations of two Congress candidates were accepted though they held an office of profit, Dr Rao alleged.

Following Mr Rahul's assurance he would look into the matter, Dr Rao gave up the agitation.

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