K. Rangaiah, also a former sarpanch, died on the spot after he was attacked with sickles and other sharp-edged weapons. Rangaiah had recently quit Congress party to join TDP.

Police said they were investigating if the two incidents were related.

Rayalaseema region, comprising four districts including Anantapur, has a long history of factional violence. Factions backed by political parties are engaged in bloody battle for supremacy.

The backward and drought-prone region is notorious for the merciless manner in which factions eliminate their rivals. More than 500 people were killed in factional violence in the last 15 years.