Slain leader Cherukulapadu Narayana Reddy consigned to flames

KURNOOL: The mortal remains of slain YSRC leader Cherukulapadu Narayana Reddy was consigned to flames on Monday evening as thousands of his supporters who descended on the tiny Cherukulapadu village witnessed the last rites. Narayana Reddy, who joined YSR Congress  only a year ago, had a vast following in the villages of Pathikonda constituency and emerged as a potential challenger to Deputy Chief Minister K.E. Krishnamurthy’s son Shyam Babu who is being groomed as his successor.

YSRC president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy who arrived from Hyderabad offered condolences to the family members of Narayana Reddy. He was accompanied by YSRC district president Gouru Venkat Reddy, Public Accounts Committee chairman Buggana Rajendranath Reddy, Kurnool MP Butta Renuka, YSRC MLAs  Gouru Charitha, Isaiah and Bala Nagi Reddy.

Narayana Reddy’s wife Sridevi Reddy, and her daughter and son were inconsolable. Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy reassured them of the party’s full support at all times. Narayana Reddy’s daughter Sneha Reddy who is studying MBBS was also consoled by Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy. Narayana Reddy’s body was handed over to family members around 11 am on Monday by Kurnool General Hospital after conducting post-mortem. Police had a tough time in controlling the crowds at the hospital.

Pre-planned murder

It was a pre-planned murder hatched by the TD, alleged YSRC Kurnool leaders. Narayana Reddy's followers alleged that the government had provided neither a gunman nor renewed his weapon licence though Narayana Reddy had made repeated appeals to the police.

They alleged that attacks on the YSR Congress leaders are taking place in the state following Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s directives. The TD feared that it cannot defeat Narayana Reddy as he has strong base in Pathikonda Assembly constituency and hence they eliminated him, the YSRC leaders said.

Police arrest two for murder:

Kurnool police arrested on Monday two persons allegedly involved in the murder of YSR Congress Pathikonda in-charge, Cherukulapadu Narayana Reddy.  Police named the two arrested as Venkatramudu and Venkat. Deputy Chief Minister K.E. Krishna Murthy’s son K.E. Shyam Babu is also been named as an accused.

Krishnagiri sub-inspector Somla Naik said that in all about 15 people have been named as accused. A case has been registered on a complaint filed by Golla Krishna Mohan related to Cherukulapadu, the SI said. The accused include Ramanjaneyulu, Togarchedu Ramanaidu, Narayana, Ramanjaneyulu,Pedda Bheesanna,Babu (Cherukulapadu), Ramakrishna (Togarchedu), Ramanjaneyulu, Balu, Chinna Ellappa, Pedda Ellappa, Venkataramudu, Srinu and K. Bojjamma.