Chairperson polls in three municipalities deferred again as Congress unleashes anarchy

Postponements of chairperson elections in three Telangana municipalities marred the final phase of civic polls, triggering political controversy, tense scenes and allegations of misuse of official machinery, even as the SEC lifted the Model Code of Conduct

Hyderabad: The final phase of Telangana’s municipal election process on Tuesday was marked by the postponement of the election of chairpersons and vice-chairpersons in three municipalities of Kyathanpalli, Khanapur and Ibrahimpatnam, and widespread misuse of power and official machinery and selective enforcement of rules by the Congress government.

With no formal explanation from the authorities on next schedule, the repeated deferments have triggered political controversy and sharp allegations from the opposition BRS against the ruling Congress. Local officials cited a lack of quorum and law and order concerns as reasons for the postponement.

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A senior State Election Commission (SEC) official said a fresh notification would be issued but declined to specify a timeline. “At this point of time, we cannot reveal when the notification would be issued. It may be in a couple of days or even more,” the official said.

The three municipalities had already seen postponements on Monday, along with eight others for which elections were completed on Tuesday, amid tense conditions. BRS captured Indresham, while the Congress secured Yellandu, Sultanabad, Kaghaznagar, Zaheerabad, Dornakal, Jangaon and Thorrur. In Jangaon and Thorrur, the results were decided by draw of lots after a tie, but not before the Congress resorting to misuse of official machinery especially the police, intimidation tactics and finally, creating ruckus to stall the proceedings.

The developments in Kyathanpalli and Thorrur turned contentious. In Kyathanpalli, where the BRS-CPI combine won 14 of 22 wards, the election was postponed despite sufficient quorum, according to BRS leaders. Soon after oath-taking, the Congress councillors allegedly created a ruckus inside the meeting hall, damaging furniture and disrupting proceedings. BRS also alleged that its women councillors were abused. Earlier, police resorted to lathi-charge when BRS leaders, including Balka Suman and MLA Kova Lakshmi, attempted to enter the municipal premises. The BRS alleged blatant misuse of police machinery to stall its victory.

In Thorrur, unprecedently heavy police deployment and house arrest of senior BRS leaders including Legislative Council Opposition leader S Madhusudhana Chari and former Minister Satyavathi Rathod added to tensions. BRS councillors were stopped en route, while Congress leaders moved freely.

The BRS secured nine of 16 wards against the Congress party’s seven seats. But the contest was levelled between the BRS and the Congress through the latter’s ex-officio votes, including that of Warangal MP Kadiyam Kavya, whose registration in two civic bodies has been questioned by BRS. The chairperson was eventually decided by lottery in favour of the Congress.

Former Minister Errabelli Dayakar Rao who managed to bring all councillors to the meeting hall, despite the police restrictions, broke down, alleging betrayal of democratic norms.

In Jangaon, a Dalit woman councillor Manjula was allegedly manhandled by Congress councillor Karunakar Reddy and an independent member, when she raised her hand in support of the BRS during voting. The incident, witnessed by police and officials, triggered protests from BRS MLAs and councillors.

Although the BRS elected Teku Sudarshan Reddy as chairman in Ibrahimpatnam, authorities stalled the process citing the High Court stay orders. Even as BRS argued the order came after completion of the chairman’s election, the officials did not budge.

In Zaheerabad, Congress secured the municipality despite winning fewer wards than the BRS by garnering support from independents and MIM members, aided by ex-officio votes. The Congress joined hands with BJP once again to capture Kaghaznagar Municipality where Shaheen Sulthana was elected as chairperson with support of nine Congress, three BJP and two independents along with ex-officio votes of local BJP MLA Palvai Harish Babu and Congress MLC Dande Vitthal. BJP councillor Gajjala Lavanya was voted as vice-chairperson.

Meanwhile, the SEC announced the lifting of the Model Code of Conduct, stating that the overall municipal election process had concluded.