Congress MLAs hand out death threats to BRS-backed sarpanch candidates

Congress MLAs in Telangana, including Jadcherla’s J Anirudh Reddy, have threatened BRS-backed sarpanch candidates, warning of denial of development funds and even death. Similar intimidation by other MLAs has been reported amid the ongoing gram panchayat elections

Hyderabad: Congress MLAs have continued to issue threats to BRS-backed sarpanch candidates, warning of serious consequences including ‘death’ even if they are elected in the ongoing gram panchayat elections.

Jadcherla MLA J Anirudh Reddy, known for his controversial remarks, has once again stirred a row by threatening to “kill” BRS-supported candidates even if they get elected as sarpanches.

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Addressing a campaign programme in his constituency, the Jadcherla MLA cautioned BRS-backed candidates that development of their respective panchayats would not be possible without his support.

“Even if you (BRS-supported candidates) win the elections by invoking sympathy, I will anyway kill you. I will not release funds for your Panchayat. Indiramma houses will be approved through my Indiramma committees and rest other works will not be approved,” Anirudh Reddy said in a video that is being circulated on social media.

The Jadcherla MLA also ridiculed BRS MLA from Huzurabad, Padi Kaushik Reddy, referring to his appeals to voters during the Assembly elections held in 2023. The Congress MLA recalled that the BRS MLA had pleaded with voters to elect him, failing which he would commit suicide.

Most of the BRS-backed sarpanch candidates were now using similar tactics in the panchayat elections, he alleged in the video.

Anirudh Reddy’s comments came a day after Wanaparthy MLA T Megha Reddy warned that if BRS-backed sarpanches were elected, they would not be allowed entry into his house. He had also cautioned that requisitions submitted by such sarpanches for road works and other development activities would not be approved.

Earlier, Government Whip and Alair MLA Beerla Ilaiah had similarly warned voters in his constituency against casting their votes in favour of BRS-supported candidates.