Andhra Pradesh: TDP MLA, leader shot dead by Naxals in Visakhapatnam

Araku MLA Kidari Sarveswara Rao and former Araku MLA Siveri Soma were on Sunday shot dead in Andhra Pradesh's Vishakapatnam district.

Both men belonged to the TDP.One of the MLA's aides also died in the attack.

Visakhapatnam DIG Srikanth told ANI that 20 Maoists took part in the attack.

"We're trying to ascertain facts from the PSOs. As per preliminary information, 20 Maoists were there with weapons and there may be some more in the neighbouring vicinity and they came along with the villagers," said Srikanth.

"Around 20 members from CPI Maoist attacked them at around 12 pm, snatched the weapons from the PSOs, and later fired at them. Both died on the spot. Reason behind attack yet to be ascertained," Srikanth added.

News reports said the Maoists, accompanied by local villagers, had stopped Rao and Soma, and had talked to them about mining in the region. The reports said the mining is not popular with the people.

Then, the Maoists shot the two politicians.

The Maoists have for a long time reportedly warned that they might attack the MLA.

Kidari Sarveswara Rao was elected as an MLA for the first time in 2014 on a YSR Congress ticket. He later joined the ruling Telugu Desam Party.

The YSR Congress‘ petition for his disqualification is pending with the Andhra Pradesh assembly speaker.