Telangana: Wanaparthy MLA threatens those voting against Congress in gram panchayats

Congress MLA T Megha Reddy sparked controversy by warning that villages electing BRS-backed sarpanches would be denied development works and welfare benefits, as videos of his remarks during panchayat poll campaigning went viral.

Wanaparthy: Congress MLA from Wanaparthy, T Megha Reddy, has courted controversy with his remarks that if BRS-backed sarpanches were elected, they would be denied entry into his house and their requests for roads and other development works would not be approved.

The comments come close on the heels of a similar threat handed out by Government Whip and Alair MLA Beerla Ilaiah during the ongoing sarpanch elections. While campaigning in villages during the second phase, Ilaiah had cautioned voters against electing BRS-supported candidates.

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Similarly, the Wanaparthy MLA warned that villages extending support to BRS-backed leaders would be deprived of development and welfare benefits. He reportedly told voters that after winning the elections, such representatives would have to approach him for roads and other works and the people should bear this in mind while casting their votes.

The MLA made these remarks while campaigning in a village, and videos of his speech are now being circulated widely on social media platforms.

“If you vote for BRS leaders saying that they are your relatives, neighbours and friends, and if they win the elections, they will not be allowed into my house. Applications from such leaders for roads, ration cards and other benefits will not be approved,” he said.

However, despite the warnings issued by Congress leaders and amid allegations of use of money and muscle power, BRS-backed candidates were elected as sarpanches and ward members in several villages during the first and second phases of the elections.

In many places, relatives, close aides and followers of Congress Ministers and MLAs suffered defeats in their native villages.