BJP alleges Congress intimidation in Makthal candidate’s death, seeks impartial probe
HYDERABAD: The Telangana unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on February 10 accused the ruling Congress of intimidation, claiming it drove the party’s municipal election candidate in Makthal to death a day before polling.
BJP alleges threats ahead of municipal polls
In a statement, state BJP chief spokesperson and media in-charge N V Subhash said Congress leaders repeatedly threatened Yerukala Mahadevappa, the BJP candidate from Ward 6 of Makthal Municipality. Mahadevappa belonged to the Scheduled Tribe community.
Subhash alleged that sustained pressure forced Mahadevappa to take the extreme step. “The BJP will not tolerate such coercive and anti-democratic tactics,” he said. He described the incident as part of a “dangerous pattern” during elections.
Party says it has lost faith in police
Demanding an impartial probe into Mahadevappa’s death, Subhash said the BJP had lost faith in the state police. He alleged that police officials refused to register complaints from BJP candidates who faced threats.
“The police are behaving like Congress cadres,” he charged.
Subhash also questioned Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy over the alleged intimidation. “If the Congress is confident of victory, why this desperation?” he asked. He referred to a recent BJP rally in Makthal, which he said attracted large crowds.
Legal action if justice denied
The BJP said its state leadership stood with the bereaved family. It warned that the party would explore legal options if authorities failed to deliver justice.
With polling scheduled for February 11, the BJP said the incident raised serious concerns about the fairness of the election process.
