Jangaon chairperson election postponed amid high drama

Jangaon municipal chairperson polls postponed amid tense BRS-Congress standoff over alleged kidnapping, quorum, and ex-officio voting; MLA and councillors stage protest demanding fair election

Jangaon: Amid high drama and tension, the election of chairperson and vice chairperson was postponed to Tuesday. MLA Palla Rajeshwar Reddy along with 15 BRS councillors protested in front of the municipal office against the election postponement. He alleged that the election was postponed due to pressure from Congress MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy.

The Congress leaders wanted to prevent the BRS from winning the chairperson and vice chairperson posts. Officials and police acted in favour of the Congress. Some Congress leaders booked a false case stating that a BRS councillor BRS from 28th ward was kidnapped.

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Police tried to stop her even after she told the officials that she was not kidnapped and she was willingly supporting the BRS as she got elected on the BRS B-form, Rajeshwar Reddy noted adding that the public would teach a lesson to Congress.

Earlier in the day, high tension prevailed as police allegedly over acted by stopping Fatima from taking part in the election process. Police told her to come to the police station instead of attending the election as a complaint was registered with the local police about her kidnap and disappearance.

Fatima made her way into the municipal council hall to take part in the election along with the party councillors. During the election, the MP and Congress councillors staged a protest demanding the officials to postpone the election. The MP even entered into an argument with officials demanding to stop chairperson election stating that Fatima was reported missing even as she was present in the hall.

Officials told the MP that they could stop the election because all the members required for quorum were present, but they later announced that the chairperson and vice chairperson election would be held on Tuesday.

The election of the chairperson has become crucial as both the BRS and Congress were in a close fight. Of the 30 wards in the municipality BRS won in 13 wards, Congress in 12 wards, CPI (M) in one ward and independent candidates won four wards.

Meanwhile, BRS MLC Pochampally Srinivas Reddy complained that the election officials did not consider his option given to continue as an ex-officio member in Jangaon Municipality. He clarified that as a local body MLC, he has the right to vote as ex-officio in the municipal elections.