Date:30/06/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/06/30/stories/2006063004070600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Congress, TDP workers clash; one killed

Staff Reporter

Former TDP Minister J.R. Pushparaj among 15 persons injured

GUNTUR: A Telugu Desam Party worker Jimidi Bodaiah was killed and former Social Welfare Minister J.R. Pushparaj was among 15 others injured when Congress and TDP workers clashed at Amaravathi in Guntur district on Thursday.

Followers of both parties clashed when TDP `road show' was passing in front of Congress mandal president Vidyasagar Rao's house. While Congress workers alleged that TDP men attacked first with sticks, TDP leaders said stones were thrown at the procession leading to the clash.

A Congress worker Venkata Narayana was grievously injured and being treated in a private hospital in Guntur. TDP worker Bodaiah, who was also injured grievously, was brought to Government General Hospital, where he died in the evening. Ten Congress workers and five of TDP also received minor injuries. They were given medical care at Amaravathi.

About 400 TDP sympathisers entered a by-lane deviating from the normal route on the main road and attacked Amaravathi Mandal Parishad vice-president Vidyasagar Rao's relative Venkata Narayana, Tadikonda MLA Dokka Manikya Vara Prasada Rao said. There was no way beyond Venkata Narayana's house and the TDP attack was pre-planned, he said.

When the clash began Congress workers pelted stones at the TDP rallyists, who replied with sticks and stones leading to grievous injuries to several people. The former Minister was first brought to Government General Hospital for first-aid and later shifted to private hospital. TDP district president Makineni Pedarathaiah criticised the attack on TDP procession. The police have stepped up security in Amaravathi.