Hyderabad, Nov 26 (IANS): A cabinet minister in Andhra Pradesh and a legislator of the opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) exchanged blows in full public view in West Godavari district Saturday.

Tourism Minister Vatti Vasant Kumar and local TDP legislator Chintamaneni Prabhakar clashed over protocol at Racchabanda programme organised by the government at Denduluru in West Godavari district to redress public grievances.

What began as an exchange of hot words between Prabhakar and Parliament member Kavuri Sambasiva Rao led to the legislator and the minister pushing each other and an exchange of blows followed.

Prabhakar fell from the dais as the minister and his supporters pushed him. Supporters from both the sides rushed to the dais and clashed. Police used mild force to disperse them, said eye witnesses.

Police arrested Prabhakar on the charges of attacking the minister and disrupting the government programme. The TDP lawmaker also lodged a complaint against the minister and the MP.

Tension prevailed at Eluru town as TDP workers gathered outside Three Town police station where Prabhakar was lodged. They demanded that the minister also be arrested.

The TDP legislator was unhappy over the violation of protocol by the ruling party. He alleged that he was ignored while leaders of Congress party were invited on the dais.