High drama at ex-Andhra minister’s house as daughter not allowed to touch body

Former Andhra Pradesh minister Mudragada Padmanabham’s funeral witnessed emotional scenes after his daughter Kranthi was prevented from touching his body, following his reported final wish due to political differences. The state government announced official honours for the Kapu leader’s last rites

Amaravati: There was tension and high drama at former Andhra Pradesh minister Mudragada Padmanabham’s house at Kirlampudi in Kakinada district on Wednesday as his family members and supporters stopped his daughter Barlapudi Kranthi from touching his body.

The Kapu leader, who passed away on Tuesday, had reportedly told his family members that his daughter should not be allowed at his funeral.

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Mudragada Padmanabham had serious differences with his daughter after she had openly supported Jana Sena leader Pawan Kalyan in the 2024 elections. Kranthi had called Pawan Kalyan the leader of the Kapu community and condemned her father’s statement that he would change his name to Padmanabham Reddy if he failed to defeat the Pawan Kalyan in Pithapuram Assembly constituency.

He had also pledged to drive Pawan Kalyan out of Pithapuram. After failing to defeat Pawan Kalyan, Padmanabham had changed his name to Padmanabha Reddy but had told his family members that his daughter should not be allowed near him even after his death.

The former minister, who had led the movement for reservation for the Kapu community, had joined YSR Congress Party a few months before the 2024 elections. The former minister passed away in Hyderabad on Tuesday, following a brief illness. His body was shifted to Kirlampudi last night.

His family members and supporters had requested police not to allow Kranthi near the body in order to honour the wishes of the late leader. Police stopped cars carrying Kranthi and her supporters at Prathipadu on Wednesday morning.

Following her request that she be allowed to see her father for the last time, police advised her to reduce the number of vehicles in the convoy and proceed to Kiralmpudi without her supporters. Police escorted Kranthi to her father’s house but this triggered strong protest by family members and followers of the late leader. They tried to stop her from entering the house and raised slogans against her.

As the police provided the escort, she managed to reach the body amid pushing and jostling. Her mother also expressed anger over her visit and blamed her for his death. Kranthi was not allowed to touch the freezer coffin containing her father’s body. After spending two minutes there, she left the place.

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh government on Wednesday decided to conduct the funeral with official honours. The last rites will be performed at Kirlampudi on Wednesday evening. The decision to conduct the funeral with official honours was taken following a telephonic conversation between Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan.

Noting that Mudragada Padmanabham had served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) four times, a Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) once, and as a State Cabinet Minister, they decided to accord him a funeral with official honours and issued instructions to officials accordingly.