Andhra politics headed for a deeper divide after six TDP activists were killed and several injured in police firing in Penukonda where the widow of slain TDP MLA Paritala Ravindra had gone to file her nominations papers as the party candidate for the June 2 bypoll.Angry crowds attacked the police, killing an assistant sub-inspector and setting ablaze several buses and government vehicles.In New Delhi, agitated TDP MPs raised the matter in Parliament and demanded a judicial inquiry and a statement by the Home Minister. In Lok Sabha, TDP leader Yerran Naidu blamed the YSR Reddy government for the incident.The TDP also took its battle to the Election Commission, demanding externment of two Andhra ministers to ensure free and fair elections in Penukonda.Since morning, there was tension in the town as Paritala Sunita, widow of Paritala Ravindra, decided to come with her supporters to the RDO office and file her papers as the TDP candidate for the bypoll.TDP leaders had earlier been warned by the police not to mobilise huge crowds. But an estimated 20,000 people gathered in the small town in support of Sunita.It’s not clear what sparked off the clashes. According to one version, some men allegedly stopped an autorickshaw carrying cold drinks and hurled the bottles at the police who responded by blocking their way.As some from the crowd began blaming the police for the killing of Paritala Ravindra, agitated activists pulled out barricade poles and attacked the police. ASI Kullayappa was lynched despite warning shots being fired in the air by the police. When the crowd moved towards the RDO office, the policemen, already shaken, retaliated by opening fire.
