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Naidu 'breaks rules' to bring 'criminal' into Telugu Desam

A Special Correspondent

Hyderabad came to a grinding halt on Friday as an alleged criminal took out a massive rally, comprising hundreds of cars and two-wheelers, before joining the ruling Telugu Desam.

The police refused permission for the rally, fearing it might trigger law and order problems. But Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu apparently shot down their objections, and allowed Srisailam Yadav to proceed with the rally.

Yadav faces several criminal charges, including murder, attempt to murder, land grabbing, extortion and assualt of policemen. He is the prime accused in the sensational murder of six brothers at Erragadda in the city a few years ago.

If the rally was flagged off by state Home Minister A Madhav Reddy at the Yousufguda crossroad in the city, the chief minister himself received it at the Telugu Desam headquarters in Hyderguda, nearly 15 km away. The rally wended its way through some of the busiest areas, including the state secretariat road.

Dressed as folk heroes like Shivaji and Rani Jhansi, Srisailam Yadav's supporters even rode horses and camels, and waived at curious passers-by.

Alleging that several policemen were beaten up when they raised objections against the rally taking unauthorised routes, a senior official said the police refused permission for the procession.

Thanking the chief minister for admitting him into the party, Srisailam Yadav said he would ensure the Telugu Desam nominees's victory in Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

Even Naidu seems to be have expressed similar optimism, after receiving Srisailam Yadav and his followers at the party headquarters.

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