Till a few years ago, Anantapur had been witnessing factional killings between two groups led by Paritala Ravindra and Maddelacheruvu Suri. After the death of Ravi and arrest of Suri, the factonism had come down completely.

Though Suri was also killed a few years ago, it was purely for money and not due to factional feuds. Occasionally, one used to hear about violence indulged in by JC brothers in Tadipatri area.

Now the violence came to the fore once again, thanks to the assembly elections. In Tadipatri, two persons were killed – one each belonging to TDP and YSR Congress party in election related clashes between two factions.

But the factionism is now showing signs of its ugly head in Rapthadu, the constituency of Paritala Ravi’s wife and minister Paritala Sunitha.

On Thursday, Sunitha warned YSRC leaders against questioning her authority in Rapthadu by indulging in violent activities.

“We stopped factional feuds almost 15 years ago. If you want to create such circumstances again, you will face the consequences. So, don’t behave in a manner to revive factonism,” Sunitha warned YSRC candidate Topudurthi Prakash Reddy.

She alleged that the fear of defeat made YSRCP leaders engage in violence at polling booths and campaigns.

Sunitha’s son Paritala Sriram is contesting the elections from Rapthtadu this time against Prakash Reddy.

She said the TDP activists had never caused any hurdles to Prakash Reddy when he visited polling stations. But, Prakash Reddy and YSRCP activists created many hurdles and tried to attack Sriram.

“I am asking Prakash Reddy to leave faction-politics. Don’t spoil your political future with factionism. We got rid of factionism 14 years ago and the people of all sections are living peacefully in the constituency. Don’t think our peace as our inability,” she said.