Chandrababu Naidu, the leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), and Sharmila Reddy, representing the Andhra Pradesh Congress, have strongly criticized the alleged mistreatment of cricketer Hanuma Vihari. They described the incident as shameful and indicative of the deteriorating state of affairs under the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP).
Naidu expressed his dismay over the Andhra Cricket Association’s perceived capitulation to what he termed as vindictive politics by the YSRCP. He stood in solidarity with Vihari, applauding the cricketer’s integrity and commitment to the game while condemning the actions that led to his decision to sever ties with Andhra Pradesh cricket.
Sharmila Reddy echoed similar sentiments, denouncing the YSRCP government’s interference in sports and calling for an impartial investigation into the matter. She criticized the YSRCP’s track record, suggesting that their actions were tarnishing the state’s reputation across various domains.
The incident unfolded after Andhra Pradesh’s narrow loss to Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy quarter-final, prompting Vihari to reveal on social media that he was forced to step down as captain following a dispute with a player, whose father holds a political position and allegedly complained to the cricket association. This episode has sparked outrage and raised concerns about political interference in sports, with both Naidu and Sharmila demanding accountability and justice for Hanuma Vihari.
