The murder reported from Pinnelli village in Machavaram mandal of Palnadu district on January 10 has led to a political row, triggering sharp exchanges between the cadre of the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led NDA and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP).
Manda Salman, 65, a YSRCP follower, was found murdered. Two persons — Motamarri Peturu and Motamarri Kantha Rao — allegedly associated with the ruling party, have been named accused in the case.
Machavaram police registered the case under Sections 103(1) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 302 read with 34 of the IPC.
Machavaram police SI Pavan Kumar K said that long-term disputes and personal rivalry led to the murder. The victim, who was admitted to a hospital in Guntur on January 10, died while undergoing on January 15.
Former Gurazala MLA Kasu Mahesh Reddy termed the incident a ‘political murder’, claiming political rivalry as the reason for the murder. However, police maintained that it was a clash between two individuals over apolitical issues and confirmed the arrest of the accused. The State SC Commission announced that it would visit the village to ascertain the facts related to the murder.
MLA Yarapatineni Srinivasa Rao said the murder followed instant provocation by the victim. He called for a probe into nearly 20 similar murders reported in the constituency during the YSRCP regime between 2019 and 2024.
The investigation is being handled by Machavaram SI Pavan Kumar under the supervision of Dachepalli Circle Inspector P. Bhaskar.
Published – January 22, 2026 11:44 pm IST
