Attack on YSRCP leader traced to power struggle

* Police identify two of the killed attackers * Prabhakar Reddy and the suspects were rivals when in TDP * People in district apprehend more such incidents * Political scenario getting hot in Kadapa before elections

Kadapa: The ghastly attempt on the life of YSR Congress party leader Poreddy Prabhakar Reddy, a former Pulivendula market yard chairman, at Himakuntla in Simhadripuram mandal on Sunday night is attributed to leadership struggle even before the curtain goes up for the local body elections.

Preliminary police investigation has revealed that Reddy's arch rival in the mandal Bidinamcherla Brahmananda Reddy is suspected to be behind the attack as part of the game of one-upmanship. Their rivalry goes back to the days when both were in the Telugu Desam Party. After the TDP lost power, both had joined the YSR Congress. Although the rivalry between the two has not been exposed for several years, they are allegedly trying to get an upper hand in the mandal keeping in view the ensuing local body elections. The attack is being viewed by political circles as an attempt to get rid of the rivals.

The police have identified two of the masked attackers, who were killed when Prabhakar Reddy's followers returned fire to protect him, as supporters of Brahmananda Reddy. Although there could be scope for other motive, local leaders feel that the attack was part of a leadership struggle. The incident, which occurred after a long period of lull in the district, has led to a fear complex among people. They apprehend more such attacks not only in the Pulivendula constituency but elsewhere in the district as the political scenario is turning hot before the local body elections.