Congress MP’s father killed in bomb blast

The police’s initial suspicion points to the hand of Umamaheswara Reddy, a long-time political rival of Raja Reddy. Unconfirmed reports said that retribution has been swift and that Umamaheswara Reddy has been killed. However, a source said the suspect has been taken into custody.

Raja Reddy, 73, is survived by his wife, who is the sarpanch of Pulivendula, five sons and a daughter. Rajasekhar Reddy represents Cuddapah in the Lok Sabha; his brotherVivekananda Reddy is Pulivendula’s MLA.

Speaking briefly to newsmen before leaving for Cuddapah, Rajasekhar Reddy blamed Telugu Desam leaders for the killing. He asked partymen not to retaliate or indulge in any acts of violence. There were reports of road blocks by his supporters in some districts.

Raja Reddy represented a sizable group that `controlled’ large parts of Cuddapah in the Rayalseema region of Andhra Pradesh. Internecine battles between groups aiming for political and economic supremacy in the district are common, and police fear the latest killing could spark off a trail of tit-for-tat violence.