By TLI Staff
Former Andhra Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kodela Siva Prasada Rao has committed suicide at his residence in Hyderabad on Monday. Rao, 72, the senior Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader was found lying unconscious at his Banjara Hills residence at around 11 AM by family members.
He was then taken to Basvatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. The police has registered a case of death under suspicious circumstances and the investigations are on.
Kodela and his family were accused of corruption and financial irregularities.
The cause of death of the senior leader is not yet known as of now and an autopsy would be conducted at the government-run Osmania General Hospital. According to the family members of the senior leader, he was under mental stress.
Kodela Siva Prasada Rao, who entered politics in 1982 and served as Assembly Speaker from 2014-19, had been a six time MLA. He is survived by wife, two sons and a daughter.
Rao was born in a farmer’s family and went on to become a doctor after graduating from Guntur Medical College.
BJP chief spokesperson, K Krishna Saagar Rao, in a statement 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.”