- By Aalok Sensharma
- Mon, 16 Sep 2019 01:49 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Hyderabad | Jagra News Desk: Former Andhra Pradesh Speaker Kodela Siva Prasada Rao on Monday committed suicide by hanging himself at his residence in Hyderabad. He was 72.
Rao was taken to Basavatarakam Hospital in a serious condition where he was later pronounced dead.
The BJP has expressed shock over Rao's suicide and Telangana BJP spokesperson Krishna Saagar Rao 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."
"I believe this forced death is a testimony to the ongoing bitter & contemptuous politics of Andhra Pradesh. It's quite unfortunate," he added.
Rao was one of the top leaders of the opposition Telugu Desam Party in the state. He had joined the TDP in 1983. He became Speaker in 2014 after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh to create Telangana.
He was also six-time MLA and had won five times from Narsaraopet seat. Rao had also served as the home minister and the panchayat raj minister.
Rao was facing the charges of allegedly taking assembly furniture to his home when he was serving as the Speaker. However, he had denied the allegations of any wrongdoings and has said that he had taken the furniture for his offices situated in Sattenapalli and Guntur.
A case under Sections 409 (criminal breach of trust by a public servant) and 411 (dishonestly receiving stolen property) of IPC was registered against him, on a complaint filed by Assembly section officer Easwara Rao.
He had also admitted that the Legislature property including some air-conditioners and furniture was with him and he had asked the Assembly officials to take it back after the new government took over.