Former AP Speaker, TDP Leader Commits Suicide, Party Blames Jagan Mohan Reddy

In a shocking case, a former Andhra Pradesh assembly Speaker committed suicide at his home in Hyderabad.  

The speaker has been identified as Kodela Siva Prasad Rao, 72, who was one of the senior-most leaders of the opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in the state. 

As per police, Rao was taken to Basavatarakam Hospital minutes after the incident where doctors confirmed his death. He is survived by two sons and a daughter. Also, according to News18 report, Rao, was reportedly upset and sad over the cases against his family members by Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy's government. 

There were cases lodged against Rao's son and daughter on corruption allegations while he faced allegations of misuse of assembly furniture, News18 further reported.

Rao tried hanging himself on Sunday night, but his action was foiled by his family members, who rushed him to the Basavatarakam Indo American Cander Hospital in Hyderabad where he later passed away. 

Shocked by the news, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed grief over the death of Rao and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family members. Meanwhile, TDP leader Kesineni Nani called his demise not a suicide but a "brutal murder". He took to social media and posted an image saying that "This is not suicide a brutal murder by Chief Minister@ysjagan".

Rao became Speaker in 2014 after the division of the state to create Telangana. He has also served as the home minister and the panchayat raj minister. Rao joined the TDP in 1983 and ever since he has been loyal to his party. 

Chief Minister Sri YS Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed grief over the death of former Andhra Pradesh Assembly Speaker Sri Kodela Siva Prasada Rao and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family members.

— CMO Andhra Pradesh (@AndhraPradeshCM) September 16, 2019

This is not suicide a brutal murder by Chief Minister@ysjagan pic.twitter.com/xtRSDaHWOu

— Kesineni Nani (@kesineni_nani) September 16, 2019