The YSR Congress Party on Friday filed a petition in the Hyderabad High Court seeking a Central Agency inquiry on the attack on its chief Jagan Mohan Reddy at the Vishakhapatnam Airport on Thursday.
Reddy, the leader of the opposition in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly was injured when he was attacked by a man with a small knife at the airport lounge.
YSRC, in a statement, claimed the cafeteria at the Visakhapatnam airport was owned by ruling Telugu Desam Party leader Harshavardhan, who was aspiring to contest the next election from the district.
State DGP R P Thakur said the attacker was identified as J Srinivasa Rao (30), working as a waiter in the cafeteria at the Vishakhaptnam airport.
A senior police official here said Srinivas approached Jagan for a selfie as the YSR Congress chief got up to leave the lounge to board the aircraft to Hyderabad.
Srinivas suddenly pulled out a small knife and attacked Reddy, injuring him on the left shoulder.
Jagan Mohan Reddy who was conducting his ongoing 'padayatra' in neighbouring Vizianagaram district, had come to the city en route to Hyderabad where he is to attend his weekly trial on Friday in connection with the disproportionate assets case.
YSRC cadre resorted to protests in different parts of Andhra following the attack on the party chief.
Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu condemned the "cowardly attack" on Reddy at the Visakhapatnam airport and asked all agencies concerned to probe the matter thoroughly.
In a tweet from his personal handle, Prabhu said he was shocked by the attack on Reddy and that the guilty would be punished.
"Asked all agencies to investigate matter thoroughly,including @CISFHQrs. Asked secretary civil aviation to fix responsibility. I strongly condemn this cowardly attack, we will punish the guilty. Investigations are underway, started immediately," the minister said.
"The unfortunate attack by an authorised employee of a licensed airport restaurant took place before the security hold area of Vizag airport, and the same will be investigated expeditiously," the Civil Aviation Ministry said in a tweet.
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