Maoists on Monday killed Andhra Pradesh Congress legislator Chittem Narsi Reddy and five others in an attack in Makthal in Mahbubnagar district, officials said.
However, unofficial reports said 10 persons were killed.
A state police spokesman told rediff.com that an action team shot dead Narsi Reddy and seven others, including his son Chittem Venkateswar Reddy and a municipal commissioner, when the MLA was attending an Independence Day function at a school in his constituency.
The Maoists stormed into the premises and opened fire with AK-47 rifles at the MLA and others at point blank range, killing them on the spot. The police said 10 other persons also sustained bullet injuries and they were shifted to the district hospital at Mahbubnagar.
Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy held a meeting with Director-General of Police Swaranjit Sen and other top police officials soon after the incident. The CM's office said he will be leaving for Mahbubnagar by a helicopter to call on the bereaved family.
The 76-year-old Narsi Reddy represented Makthal constituency. He was elected to the legislative assembly for three terms and served as a member of the legislative council earlier. He leaves behind his wife, two sons and five daughters. One of his daughters, Mrs D K Aruna, is Samajwadi Party legislator from Gadwal constituency in Mahbubnagar district.
Starting his career in the Congress, Narsi Reddy had been in Janata for two decades before switching back to the Congress. He was on the panel of chairmen of the Legislative Assembly during his current term.