A Telugu Desam Party leader and his relative were left battling for their lives in hospital in an attack by unidentified persons which took place on the National Highway No. 5 near Eluru in West Godavari district, early on Sunday.
The East Godavari Telugu Desam ST Cell president Nakka Satyanarayana and his brother-in-law Yeddla Raju were on their way to Hyderabad when the attack took place.
According to eyewitnesses, the car was stopped on the highway, and before the victims could realise what was happening, the assailants forced the car doors open and dragged them out.
The assailants were armed with sticks and sharp-edged weapons. The attack left the duo seriously injured.
The attackers managed to get away before passersby could react. The police was called in, and the victims were shifted to Eluru Government hospital. Their condition is stated to be serious.
A case has been registered, and further investigations are on.