The Prajya Rajyam chief, Chiranjeevi, and his brother-in-law and party leader, Mr Allu Aravind, on Monday expressed contradictory opinions over the violence at Bhainsa in Adilabad district. Chiranjeevi, who is touring north Andhra, attributed the violence to failure of the intelligence machinery. Mr Aravind did not see any fault with the government after visiting the riot-hit village on Monday.

This is not the first time that the two top leaders of the party have expressed different views. Even on the matter of the party’s alliance with the CPI(M), Chiranjeevi and Mr Aravind had divergent views. Immediately after meeting the CPI(M) top brass in New Delhi on Saturday, Mr Aravind had said the Prajya Rajyam had "affinity" with the Left. A day after Mr Aravind’s statement, Chiranjeevi indirectly attacked the CPI(M) for setting a deadline for the party to decide on its electoral alliances.

Chiranjeevi took pot-shots at the CPI(M) during a roadshow in Vizianagaram district on Sunday and said: "Some parties are demanding us to disclose our policies to them. Why should we reveal it to them? We are accountable only to the people." The CPI(M) on Monday condemned the remarks made by PR leaders.

When the Marxist party’s state leadership gave an ultimatum to the Prajya Rajyam to decide on electoral alliances, the party spokesperson Mr Parakala Prabhakar took it lightly. It may be recalled that a day after Chiranjeevi favoured a dalit Chief Minister in an interview with this newspaper, the PR spokespersons Mr Parakala Prabhakar and Mr Mitra backtracked on it.