Khanapur municipal chairperson election postponed again

The election of chairperson and vice-chairperson of Khanapur municipality was postponed again following a controversy involving MLA Vedma Bojju during the process, forcing officials to defer the election to Sunday amid protests and allegations by BJP and BRS councillors

Nirmal: Election of chairperson and vice-chairperson of Khanapur municipality was once again postponed following controversy over the process on Saturday. The election was postponed to Sunday.

Officials conducted elections to the posts of chairperson and vice-chairperson of the 12-member municipality. They were forced to postpone the process to the next day when local MLA Vedma Bojju, who was participating in the election as an ex-officio member, raised an objection to the officials for asking Ankam Mounika, a BJP candidate, to show her strength based on alphabetical order and seven councillors supported her candidature.

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In a video clip that went viral on social media platforms, Bojju was later seen reaching the officials’ podium, violating norms. He reportedly insisted that the officials ask Chinna Satyam, a Congress councillor, to prove his majority. Amid a ruckus created by the legislator, officials were left with no option but to reschedule the process for the following day.

However, councillors of both BJP and BRS urged the officials to declare Mounika as the chairperson and Mohd Shoiab as vice-chairperson, considering their majority was proved during the election. They alleged that the officials succumbed to pressure exerted by the ruling Congress party. They asked the Congress to respect democracy.

While BJP and BRS tied with four councillors each, the Congress stood in second place with three councillors and an Independent registered victory, resulting in the formation of a coalition. However, Pochavva, a councillor from BRS, was allegedly kidnapped by the Congress. Vedma Bojju registered himself as an ex-officio member and eyed securing the chairperson post of the municipality.

Based on a recent direction of the High Court, the State Election Commission issued an order to hold the election on Saturday. The election was stalled due to unsuitable conditions prevailing during the process on February 17. The election was postponed to February 17 due to lack of quorum at the time of a special meeting conducted on February 16.