BC Congress leader consumes pesticide alleging pressure from party leaders not to contest Sarpanch election

A long-time Congress worker from Nagarkurnool, Orsu Bangaraiah, consumed pesticide alleging pressure from party leaders to withdraw from the Sripuram Sarpanch election. His family accused the party of sidelining him despite 35 years of service and backing a recent entrant instead.

Nagarkurnool: A Congress leader from the BC community consumed pesticide alleging that he was being pressured by party leaders not to contest the Sarpanch elections from Sripuram village in Nagarkurnool mandal.

Orsu Bangaraiah, a BC leader who has been associated with the Congress party for 35 years, has been aspiring to contest the Sarpanch election from Sripuram, which goes to the polls in the second phase.

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He alleged that pressure was being exerted on him by a section of party leaders who were backing another candidate. Seeking clarity, Bangaraiah tried to meet Nagarkurnool MLA Rajesh Reddy. The MLA reportedly called him for a meeting on Sunday and told him that a final decision on his candidature would be taken after consultations with party leaders and villagers.

“Injustice is being meted out to many loyal leaders like me in the Congress party. In protest, I consumed pesticide at the MLA’s office,” Bangaraiah said in a video that is circulating on social media.

Speaking to the media, his wife and family members said Bangaraiah had served the Congress party for 35 years but was not being given an opportunity to contest the Sarpanch elections. They said the party was instead supporting another person who had joined the party recently.

“My husband’s supporters were also influenced to support the candidature of the person, who belongs to another caste. Stating that there is no recognition to his service to the party, he attempted suicide. No leaders, including the MLA, met Bangaraiah after the incident,” his wife said in the video.