Andhra Pradesh former speaker K Siva Prasad Rao passed away today while undergoing treatment at Basavatarakam hospital, Hyderabad. The senior TDP leader, who was reportedly under depression for some time, has allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself at his residence.
The senior leader was rushed to the Indo-American Cancer Hospital in Hyderabad in an unconscious state by his guard and driver from where he was shifted to the Basavatarakrama Hospital in a serious condition and later pronounced dead.
The 6-time MLA in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly had served as the Speaker from 2014 till 2019 and a minister in the cabinets of TDP founder NT Rama Rao and present party chief N Chandrababu Naidu.
Rao had several corruption charges registered against him, his son and daughter after Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSRCP came to the power.
The YSR Congress Party government in Andhra Pradesh had levelled serious allegations on Kodela Siva Prasad Rao. The government accused Rao of stealing a Nizam-era table, designer chairs, sofas, air-conditioners and some ‘personal’ computers among other things from his Speaker’s office in Hyderabad.
According to officials of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, many items of furniture were found in a motorcycle showroom owned by Rao’s elder son, Kodela Sivaram, in Guntur city.
Interestingly, on the same day news had broken out that the Andhra Pradesh Skill Development Corporation has lodged a police complaint against Sivaram for allegedly stealing 30 laptops and a printer from a Rural Skill Development Centre in Sattenpalli, in July 2018.
Banjara Hills ACP K Srinivasa Rao said that it was too early to divulge any details related to the case. “We are investigating what happened. Further details will be revealed soon,” he said.
TDP Telangana President L Ramana said: “As per what we saw, there were injury marks on his neck. However, the true cause of death will be revealed after the police conduct an autopsy.” Meanwhile, TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu has expressed grief on Kodela’s death.
Meanwhile, the BJP which is at the opposition has also expressed shock at Kodela death. In a statement, Telangana BJP spokesperson Krishna Saagar Rao has said: “Shocked to know that former minister, former AP speaker Shri. Kodela Siva Prasad has committed suicide. I extend heartfelt condolences on the unfortunate demise of this senior politician. May his soul rest in peace.”
He added, “I believe this forced death is a testimony to the ongoing bitter & contemptuous politics of Andhra Pradesh. It’s quite unfortunate.”
