The ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Andhra witnessed an internal clash in Prakasam district, after followers of TDP MLC Karnam Balaram and MLA Gottipati Ravi Kumar traded blows during a party meeting in Ongole on Tuesday.
The two leaders are part of family factions, who are known to be arch rivals, with a history of fights, kidnappings, murders and even reported bomb attacks.
According to reports, Gottipati Ravi Kumar was attacked by Balaram's followers as soon as he entered the meeting venue, even as senior state Ministers including P Narayana, Paritala Sunita and Sidda Raghava were present.
Though Ravi Kumar's shirt was torn in the scuffle, his security managed to keep the protesters at bay.
According to reports, Balaram's followers were angry, as the incident occurred just days after two of the MLC's supporters were allegedly murdered by Ravi Kumar's men.
Last Friday night, the victims – supporters of Balaram – were returning home after attending a wedding, when attackers threw chilli powder in their faces and attacked them with sticks and knives.
The Ravi Kumar faction later surrendered as many as 14 accused to the police.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has directed the Director General of Police, N Sambasiva Rao, to investigate the matter.
The police also imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC at Vemavaram village in Prakasam district and Superintendent of Police Trivikram Varma camped in the village, to control the tense situation.
Meanwhile, speaking on the latest clash, TDP Prakasam district president D Janardhana Rao termed the incident 'unfortunate', and briefed CM Naidu on what took place.
“They were speaking foul language. We did not start the scuffle. This fight has no relation with the party or government," Balaram told the media.
According to a report in the Times of India, Panchayat Raj Minister Lokesh said that differences between leaders was understandable, but it should have been sorted peacefully, and with caution.
Speaking to the media, Ravi said that he was seeking an appointment with the Andhra CM, to talk to him on the issue.
It was in April last year, that Ravi Kumar defected to the TDP from the YSRCP, amid doubts if the two factions could be part of the same party.