The Hindu : Front Page : Rebel Congress candidate axed to death

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 27, 2006

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Front Page

Rebel Congress candidate axed to death

Staff Reporter

Mob goes on rampage and torches properties of three accused persons

GUDUR (WARANGAL): Groupism in the Congress claimed a life when a rebel candidate Kancha Ilaiah (33) contesting for the Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) was axed to death allegedly by his own party men in the wee hours of Monday here.

The police opened fire when followers of Illaiah threw stones at them causing injuries to Duggondi Sub-Inspector Sridhar. A huge mob later went on a rampage and torched the properties of K. Venkanna, K. Swamy, K. Sampath, Y. Sarangam and others accused in the murder. It chased away the police and torched a two-wheeler.

Tension prevailed till 10 am until the body was taken to Narasampet for autopsy.

Major Irrigation Minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah faced the ire of Ilaiah's relatives and supporters at the mortuary. They hurled slippers, broom sticks and abuses at the Minister besides dousing him with sand. The police tried in vain to protect the Minister who was forced to leave the place immediately.

Killed in sleep

According to the locals, one K. Venkanna, a follower of Congress leader Donthi Madhava Reddy, approached Ilaiah and offered to work for his victory along with two others. The trio slept with Mr. Ilaiah at the election office at Gudur on Sunday night. They axed him to death while he was asleep and escaped.

Ilaiah was an upcoming leader and was poised to win the election as an independent candidate. He was a follower of Konda Murali, an opponent of Donthi Madhava Reddy.

The police arrested three persons-- Madhava Reddy, Kathi Swamy and Md. Kasim-- in connection with the murder.

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