Congress not holding elections in constitutional manner, says Koppula Eshwar

Former Minister Koppula Eshwar accused the Congress government of failing to conduct free and fair elections in Kyathanpalli municipality. He demanded intervention by the Election Commission of India and sought action over alleged misuse of official machinery and intimidation of Opposition councillors

Mancherial: Former Minister Koppula Eshwar alleged that the Congress government was not conducting elections in a democratic, free and fair manner as mandated by the Constitution. He, along with Peddapalli former ZP chairperson Putta Madhu, addressed the media at the residence of BRS district president Balka Suman in Kyathanpalli on Saturday.

Referring to the ongoing turmoil surrounding the election of the governing council of Kyathanpalli municipality, Eshwar said the developments indicated that elections were not being conducted in a constitutional manner. Accusing the Congress of misusing official machinery at will and creating an atmosphere of intimidation and confrontation, he alleged that the police machinery was functioning like activists of the Congress, suppressing the voice of Opposition parties while implementing directions of local MLAs and ministers.

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“It seems that the mechanism was suppressing the voice of Opposition parties while implementing orders of local MLAs and ministers. We witnessed atrocities committed by elected representatives and ministers in the past,” he said.

Expressing concern over the role of the State Election Commission, Eshwar said the constitutional body, which was responsible for electing a member from the party that secured a majority of wards as president of the governing council, remained a mute spectator. The election to the Kyathanpalli governing council was postponed amid dramatic developments, with BRS and CPI councillors allegedly being prevented from attending the meeting. Demanding immediate intervention, he called upon the Election Commission of India to conduct the governing council election in a democratic and transparent manner, ensuring the entire process was video-recorded.

The former Minister also sought a comprehensive probe into the circumstances that led to the postponement of the election, urging authorities to initiate stern action against those who violated norms.

Condemning the alleged threats by Labour Minister G Vivek against the family members of a BRS councillor over the use of a Singareni plot in Kyathanpalli, he said the action was taken after the councillor refused to join the Congress. He also alleged that officials of the coal major removed fencing around the plot without issuing prior notice to the councillor.