TIRUPATI/RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM : Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu escaped unhurt when the engine of his bus began emitting smoke in Tirupati on Friday. The apparently overheated engine developed a problem while he was on his way from the Renigunta airport to Sri Balaji Institute of Surgery, Research and Rehabilitation for the Disabled (BIRRD) to inaugurate a new block.
The driver stopped the vehicle at KLM hospital circle after driving for about 10 km from the airport when he noticed smoke emanating from the engine and other parts of the bus too. A police team led by the Tirupati superintendent of police rushed to the vehicle even as TDP leaders too stopped their vehicles and ran up to check on Naidu. In the meantime, the Chief Minister got down from the bus and boarded a bullet-proof SUV which was kept ready for him near the bus.
Incidentally, TDP MLC Adireddy Appa Rao and his driver were injured when their vehicle, which was part of party general secretary and Chief Minister’s son Lokesh’s convoy, overturned on hitting a road divider in Rajamahendravaram . The car, in fact, flew into the air, before hitting the ground. Appa Rao, his driver and two other policemen in the vehicle were injured.
They were rushed to the Bollineni Hospitals where their condition is said to be stable. Lokesh was on his way to Rajamahendravaram from Vemagiri Junction to take part in a job mela when the mishap took place. Later, Lokesh went to the hospital and enquired about the health condition of Appa Rao and others.