Jupally warns against auctions, forced unanimous polls for Sarpanch posts

Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao has condemned reports of forced unanimous elections and auctions for Sarpanch posts in Telangana villages, calling them undemocratic. He stressed that aspirants must seek the people’s mandate through proper elections.

Hyderabad: Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao admitted receiving reports of forced unanimous elections and auctions for Sarpanch posts in some villages, stating that such practices were against democratic principles.

“People who secure Sarpanch posts through auctions should not come to me. Sarpanch aspirants for the post should contest the elections and seek the public mandate,” Krishna Rao said in a statement issued here on Saturday.

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He said democracy must be upheld in villages and that unanimous elections or auctions undermined democratic values, reflecting the dominance of a few individuals.

Meanwhile, in Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s native village of Kondareddypally in Kalwakurthy constituency, Venkataiah was elected unanimously through a draw of lots, according to reports.

The village was reserved under the SC category and 15 aspirants were keen to contest. Villagers conducted a draw of lots and elected Venkataiah, who is a childhood friend of the Chief Minister, according to reports.