Infighting In TDP Turns Murkier: Karanam And Gottipati Battle It Out At Party Office

Ongole: The infighting in the Prakasam district unit of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) not only came to the fore once again but also turned murkier with MLA Gottipati Ravi Kumar and MLC Karanam Balram being involved in a brawl in full view of state ministers, police and media personnel.

The incident took place at the party office in Ongole on Tuesday, where elections for TDP Prakasham district president's post were being held. Party observers and state ministers Narayana, Paritala Sunita and Sidda Raghava Rao were shell-shocked when both the MLA and MLC got down to a fisticuffs. As supporters of both the legislators joined the fight it was total mayhem at the party office. Security personnel of the ministers and the legislators had a tough time separating members of the two factions whose cadres exchanged blows and tore each others' shirts.

There are allegations that in the twin murders that took place on May 19 in Vemavaram of Ballikuruva mandal, the supporters of Gottipati Ravi Kumar and Karnam Balram are involved. The murders are said to be the result of a fight for supremacy between the two legislators.

Meanwhile, Gottipati Ravi Kumar has already sought an appointment with chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu to complain against Karanam Balram and explain his stand.