Former Andhra Pradesh Speaker Kodela Siva Prasada Rao commits suicide

Former Speaker of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Kodela Siva Prasad Rao died in Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital in Hyderabad after allegedly committing suicide.

Police rushed to his house in posh Banjara Hills and launched the investigation as the news spread that Rao died at a private hospital.

Rao was taken to Basvatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital by his driver and gunman. The doctors have not yet announced the cause of the death.

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Buddha Venkanna alleged in Vijayawada that Rao ended his life due to mental harassment by YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government.

A senior TDP leader from Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, Rao had served as a minister in the cabinets of N. T. Rama Rao and N. Chandrababu Naidu in undivided Andhra Pradesh.

He served as Assembly Speaker from 2014 to 2019. He was defeated in the recent Assembly elections.

Rao, a six time MLA, is survived by wife, two sons and a daughter.