YSR Congress leader arrested for distributing valuables (Lead)

Hyderabad, March 21 (IANS) Police in Andhra Pradesh Friday arrested a legislator of YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) for allegedly distributing valuables and cheques among voters. He was later released on bail.

Kapu Ramachandra Reddy, who is a member of assembly from Rayadurgam in Anantapur district, was admitted to a hospital even as a police team from neighbouring Karnataka reached Rayadurgam to arrest him in connection with a similar case booked in Bellary.

A local court in Rayadurgam granted bail to Reddy, who was arrested early Friday after searches at his house and also those of his aides.

Police conducted the searches after cricket kits, wall clocks, sarees, pressure cookers and cheques worth Rs.36 lakh were seized at a checkpost in Bellary. The items were allegedly being transported from Bellary to Rayadurgam by Reddy's supporters.

According to police, the articles and cheques were meant for distribution among voters ahead of March 30 municipal elections.

Local police officials questioned Ramachandra Reddy and later produced him before a court, which granted him bail.

YSRCP, however, has denied the allegations against Ramachandra Reddy. Its leaders met Director General of Police B. Prasada Rao here to complain about the "illegal" arrest. They said Rayadurgam police acted out of vengeance towards Reddy.