Expressing shock at the sudden death of sudden death of former AP Assembly Speaker Kodela Siva Prasada Rao, Telugu Desam Party national president N. Chandrababu Naidu has accused the YSRCP government of harassing Siva Prasada Rao to the point of ending his own life.
Mr. Naidu, who drove from Hyderabad, reached the State party office by afternoon and immediately paid condolences to the departed leader. The party leaders observed two minutes of silence.
“We have seen many untimely deaths but this has shocked and disturbed me. I was travelling when Balakrishna broke the news to me. Siva Prasada Rao had been among the tallest leaders in the State and he knew no fear. I am deeply pained that he was forced to end his life unable to bear the harassment meted out by this State government. Kodela called me a few days back and he told me that he has been spending sleepless nights over the past few days,” said Mr. Naidu in an emotional tone at a condolence meeting.
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Mr. Naidu directed the party leaders that party flags should be flown at half mast and a week-long condolence meetings should be held in all districts.
He also said that he would go to Hyderabad and come back to Guntur along with the body on Tuesday. The mortal remains of Siva Prasada Rao would be kept at the State party office in Guntur and by evening would be moved to Narsaraopet.
The TDP leaders, including former Minister Nakka Ananda Babu and MLC Dokka Manikya Vara Prasada Rao also paid condolences.
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Party leader Varla Ramaiah said that it was unfortunate that some media organisations were trying to dishonour leaders even after their death. He said that Kodela Sivaram, son of Siva Prasada Rao had left to Kenya two days back and was not present during the incident but some media organisations were trying to project as if there had been a scuffle among the family members.
Mr. Ananda Babu said that Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy drove Siva Prasada Rao to death by levelling baseless allegations. “If YSR was notorious for faction murders, his son is bent on eliminating his rivals by resorting to political murders,” said Mr. Ananda Babu.
Mr. Vara Prasada Rao said that Siva Prasada Rao epitomised the valour of Palnadu and his untimely death left a void in the party.