Following the assumption of power by the Telugu Desam-led government in June, there have been unfortunate incidents resulting in the deaths of four TD activists, one YSRC member, and one BJP member. The surge in political violence has raised concerns throughout the combined Kurnool district. Specifically, Pathikonda constituency witnessed the loss of two TD activists, while tragic events unfolded with the killings of TD leader Vakiti Srinivasulu in Hosur and BJP leader Shekhanna in Adoni.
The district is grappling with challenges as it comprises 73 factional villages and over 200 problematic villages, yet it faces limitations in police resources. Despite the presence of 86 police stations and 8 DSP offices in the two districts, law enforcement is struggling to manage the escalating factional rivalries, as highlighted by a retired police official who pointed out that several high-profile murders have further exacerbated tensions in recent times.
In one such incident in June 2021, TD leaders V. Nageswara Reddy and V. Pratapa Reddy fell victim to violence orchestrated by YSRC groups. Similarly, BJP leader Uppara Shekhanna, who had recently switched allegiance from YSRC, was tragically discovered dead with his throat slit outside his residence in Pedda Harivanam village of Adoni mandal. The local community was stunned by the incident, as Shekhanna was perceived to have no conflicts with anyone in the village.
Subsequent investigations led by Adoni DSP Somanna, taluka circle inspector Nallappa, and sub-inspector Nagendra were initiated, with the body being moved to Adoni government hospital for further examination. The visit of Adoni legislator and senior BJP leader Dr. P.V. Parthasarathi to the family of the deceased aimed to offer condolences and assurance that justice would be served. Dr. Parthasarathi strongly denounced the act, emphasizing that such acts of violence should have no place in politics, and pledged support to the grieving family.
In another tragic incident in October 2022, Kuruva Siddappa, a loyal supporter of Dhone MLA Kotla Jayasurya Prakash Reddy, met a similar fate in Kodumuru. The sequence of violence continued with the murders of TD leader M. Girinath Chowdary in Bommireddypalle on June 9 and YSR Congress member M. Madhavaiah in Venkatanayuni Palle on July 7. The unfortunate demise of TD leader Atla Sridevi in Allagadda town on June 25 was attributed to a property dispute.
Furthermore, a recent development saw TD activist Budda Srinivasa Reddy implicated in the killing of Pasupuleti Pedda Subbarayudu in Sitaramapuram, Mahanandi mandal, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced in the region. YSRC leader and former Panyam legislator Katasani Rambhupal Reddy highlighted the alarming rise in violence, pointing out that faction politics had significantly diminished since 2004 following the counsel of former CM Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy.
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