Telangana BJP staged a protest at the DGP office in Hyderabad, accusing the ruling Congress party of being responsible for the suicide of its candidate in the Makthal municipality elections. Party members gathered outside the office, demanding police action against those linked to Erukali Mahadevraappa’s death. The situation escalated as police attempted to disperse the protestors, resulting in a minor altercation.
Mahadevrappa, who had filed his nomination as the BJP candidate for ward number 6 in Makthal municipality, was discovered hanging at his home late on Monday. Allegations from his family suggest that Mahadev’s opponents had been threatening him since he entered the election race. With polling scheduled for the next day in various municipalities and corporations across Telangana, the state BJP president, N. Ramchander Rao, visited Makthal to offer condolences to Mahadevarappa’s family.
Blaming the Congress party for the incident, Rao highlighted the intimidation and harassment faced by Mahadevrappa, stating that such actions by Congress supporters were not uncommon. He also criticized the alleged tampering of the original FIR by local police, calling for a transparent investigation and strict action against those involved. Rao emphasized the need for justice and announced financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh to Mahadevarappa’s family on behalf of the BJP.
Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy raised the suicide issue of the BJP candidate in the Lok Sabha, while BJP MP K. Laxman brought it up in the Rajya Sabha, urging immediate action. Reddy described the incident as a reflection of the political environment in Telangana under Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and the Congress party. He emphasized the challenges faced by grassroots democracy in the state, particularly for marginalized leaders like Mahadevarappa.
