Prakasam: Internecine bickering in the ruling Telugu Desam Party in Prakasam district came to the fore once again. Not just that, the rivalry turned bloody with two Karanam Balaram-backers dying in the attack by Gottipati Ravikumar faction.

The district has been witnessing a battle for supremacy between MLC Karnam Balram Reddy and MLA Gottipati Ravi Kumar. On Friday night, Karanam Balaram supporters were accosted while they were returning from a wedding function. Their vehicles had to be slowed down because of a speed-breaker and taking advantage of this, Gottipati Ravikumar supporters Malempati Venkateswarlu, Gottipati Maruthi, Sakhamuri Seetaiah and 40 others reportedly thrashed them badly.

Karanam backers Gorantla Venakteswarlu, Anjaiah, Perayya, Yoginati Ramakoteswra Rao, Mutyala Rao and Veera Raghavulu were critically injured in the attack. They were rushed to the hospital in Chilakaluripet and then shifted to Guntur General Hospital. However, Gorantla Anjaiah and Yoginati Ramakoteswara Rao died on way to the hospital.

Speaking exclusively with Sakshi news channel, Karanam Balram Murthy said: "Gottipati Ravi Kumar is provoking otherwise peaceful villagers to attack my supporters. Though my people are observing restraint, Ravikumar's men are deliberately provoking us."

He alleged that Ravikumar had joined TDP from YSRCP only to make money. He said Ravikumar has got Rs 230 crore of granite mining tax waived off by joining the TDP.

Meanwhile, the police have imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 in view of the tense situation prevailing in the area.