Image used for representational purpose

VIJAYAWADA: The simmering tension between AP’s two principal political parties spilled over a family tiff between brothers belonging to the rival parties, resulting in the suicide of a 35-year-old woman after she was stripped publicly allegedly by YSRC cadres during the melee in Prakasam district on Tuesday.

Police have identified the deceased as Padma (35), wife of Pasangari Brahmaiah. It all began with a tiff among the Pasangari brothers at Rudramambapuram under Chinaganjam mandal 20 days ago when Pasangari Papamma, wife of Brahmaiah’s elder brother Nageswara Rao, alleged that Brahmaiah knocked her down with his bike. Brahmaiah’s three brothers support YSRC and three others TDP.

As YSRCP and TDP workers too joined the tiff, it soon assumed political overtones.

According to Chirala DySP U Nagaraju, the Pasangari brothers used to have family disputes even before elections. But after the polls, those who support YSRC were trying to trouble the brothers backing TDP.

On Tuesday morning, Papamma along with 20 others, including family members and YSRC supporters, landed at Brahmaiah’s house. The argument over the bike incident ended in a fight and YSRC supporters started beating Brahmaiah and Padma. They dragged Padma by her saree and stripped her in front of everyone.

A humiliated Padma ran inside the home and locked herself in even as the street brawl continued.

People who gathered outside the home finally separated the clashing groups. As the group dispersed, Brahmaiah knocked on the door and asked his wife to come out. There was no response and when the family broke open the doors she was found hanging from the ceiling fan, police said.

Police have set up a picket in the area to control the situation and are anticipating retaliation from TDP workers. DySP Nagaraju said additional force have been deployed in the village to ensure peace.

“We have booked cases against 20 people and are in the process to identify them,” he said.

There has been a spurt in clashes between supporters of TDP and YSRCP ever since the state assembly elections.

