The city of Vijayawada witnessed tense moments on Sunday after comments made by a YSRCP trade union leader against Kapu leader Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga Rao and his brother Radhakrishna.
The YSRCP leader's comments sparked off a row and resulted in protests across the city, which in turn, led to his arrest.
Speaking to a local TV channel, Gowtham Reddy called the two brothers 'snakes', and said that there was "nothing wrong in killing" the duo.
Gowtham Reddy also said that he would not support Ranga's son, Radha Krishna, who was part of the YSRCP party.
Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga, a leader of the Congress party, who belonged to the Kapu community, was murdered in 1988 when he was on a hunger strike.
The Deccan Chronicle reported that tension prevailed after the police tried to prevent Radha Krishna and his mother from conducting a press conference and responding to Gowtham's remarks.
The police personnel formed a human wall to block them but the two broke through, only to be arrested. They continued the protest at the Ibrahimpatnam police station, where they were detained for three hours, the DC report added.
Several supporters of the family had also gathered outside the residence and later at the police station, to condemn the arrests.
Following this, the YSRCP party suspended Gowtham Reddy for his "unpleasant comments" against the late Kapu leader.
“The YSRCP would issue show cause notice to him. The party would take a serious note if any other leader or worker makes unsavoury comments against any person or community in future,” YSRCP official spokesperson Kolusu Parthasarathi told media persons.
Gowtham Reddy is also reported to have tendered an apology to the family, after his views were aired on TV.
More than 40 people were killed and properties worth several crore rupees were destroyed in the violence in 1988 in Vijayawada, following Ranga's murder.
The violence only abated after then Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister NT Rama Rao made his TDP legislator Devineni 'Nehru' Rajasekhar surrender. Then Home Minister Kodela Sivaprasada Rao also had to resign.
In 2002, a court had acquitted all 33 accused including Nehru in the Ranga murder case.