HYDERABAD, India, 18 May 2008 — Prominent Telugu Desam Party leader Kapatralla Venkatappa Naidu and seven of his followers were killed when crude bombs exploded in their vehicle after it was hit by a lorry in Kurnool district in southern Andhra Pradesh state early yesterday.

Police said the incident occurred at Bodannuru village when Naidu and his followers were traveling in a Tata Sumo car. The crude bombs and other explosives being carried in the vehicle exploded on impact, leaving little time for the injured to escape.

Eight occupants including Venkatappa Naidu and his brother Shiv Shankar Naidu died, while three others were battling for their lives at Kurnool government hospital. The other deceased included Naidu’s two gunmen, a bank manager, the driver and two supporters.

While police said it was a simple case of road accident that turned deadly owing to the presence of the bombs and explosives in the car, the TDP called it “a pre-meditated attack” by rival Congress party workers.

Venkatappa Naidu was targeted by rivals at least 10 times in the past in the highly faction-ridden Kurnool district but escaped each time.

The driver and cleaner of the truck fled the scene of the accident and police are hunting for them.

The incident led to tension in the area as Naidu’s supporters came out on the streets, attacking buses and other public property.

Naidu, a powerful factional leader in the region who has several criminal cases against him, had a long running feud with V. Padma, who enjoys the support of the ruling Congress party.

The two groups have been having a turf war for the last three decades. Naidu served as TDP member of the Zilla Parishad Territorial Committee (ZPTC) and was a powerful factional leader during the party’s rule in Andhra Pradesh.

His rival Padma returned to Kapatralla village in 2005, about three decades after her family was forced to flee the village. Supported by some Congress leaders, she tried to gain control of her ancestral property, which was allegedly encroached by Naidu, leading to tension in the village.

After Padma’s return, Naidu and his supporters were reportedly in hiding. Fearing for his life, the TDP leader also sought police protection

Rayalseema, comprising Kurnool and three others districts, has a long history of factional violence. Factions, fighting for domination in the villages and enjoying support of the two main political parties, often target each other. The factions are notorious for brutal attacks with bombs and other weapons.

The TDP alleges that more than 100 of its leaders and workers have been killed in the four years by the Congress party has been in power. They include former minister and TDP legislator Paritala Ravi, who was gunned down by a rival group in Anantapur three years ago.

— With input from agencies