BRS leaders approach SEC seeking action against Congress atrocities in civic polls

A BRS delegation filed a complaint with the SEC, alleging Congress-led violence and irregularities in the recent municipal elections. The party sought strict action, including cases against Congress leaders, after multiple instances of assault and intimidation were reported

Hyderabad: A BRS delegation, led by former Ministers V Srinivas Goud and Koppula Eshwar, along with BRS general secretary RS Praveen Kumar, lodged a complaint with the State Election Commission (SEC) alleging large-scale irregularities and violence by Congress leaders during the recent municipal elections. The BRS leaders sought SEC intervention and strict action, including filing cases against Congress leaders for allegedly assaulting BRS councillors.

Addressing the media after submitting the complaint on Tuesday, the BRS leaders said elections were held in 116 municipalities and seven municipal corporations, but were marred by money distribution, attacks, and intimidation. They added that the elections for municipal chairpersons and vice-chairpersons were not conducted smoothly.

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The BRS leaders also raised objections to the stay on the Ibrahimpatnam municipal election, stating that the High Court issued stay orders only after the process had concluded. They demanded that the SEC take strict action on the matter.

Calling the Congress actions “no less than the murder of democracy,” Koppula Eshwar said that in nearly 30 municipalities with a hung mandate, the ruling party acted arbitrarily and misused the police to influence outcomes. He stated that observers failed to discharge their duties impartially. Srinivas Goud accused the SEC of remaining a silent spectator and failing to function independently. He cited incidents of violence, including the alleged dragging of a woman councillor in Jangaon and stone-pelting on BRS leaders in Kyathanpally, among others.