What Happened at the Telangana Panchayat Polls?
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Synopsis
Discover the unsettling events surrounding the Telangana Panchayat polls where a candidate's life was cut short, and a voter tragically collapsed. This article delves into the tension and drama of the election process, highlighting the emotional stakes and controversial actions taken by candidates amid a fraught political landscape.
Key Takeaways
- Two tragic incidents occurred during the Telangana Panchayat elections.
- A candidate died from stress just before voting.
- A voter collapsed shortly after casting his ballot.
- Allegations of monetary inducements were reported.
- High voter turnout with over 57.22 lakh participants.
Hyderabad, Dec 14 (NationPress) A tragic incident occurred in the Panchayat elections held in Telangana, where a candidate passed away just moments before the polling commenced on Sunday, while a voter tragically collapsed and died shortly after casting his ballot.
An independent candidate for the Sarpanch position in Khammam district, D. Nagaraju, experienced severe stress from the election campaign and died shortly before the polling started at 7 a.m.
His family reported that he fell ill on Saturday night and was subsequently admitted to the hospital, where he unfortunately succumbed on Sunday morning.
In another unfortunate event, a voter identified as Solipeta Butchaiah, aged 70, collapsed after voting in Ranga Reddy district. This incident took place at a polling center in Aluru village of Chevella mandal.
Butchaiah was rushed to a hospital, but medical professionals pronounced him dead shortly after arrival. His daughter, Ramulamma, is a candidate vying for the Ward Member position in Venkannaguda village.
Another incident involved a protest by the husband of a Sarpanch candidate in Medak district. He climbed a mobile phone tower to voice concerns over alleged monetary inducements by rival candidates. This scene unfolded in Peddatanda Gram Panchayat.
Shankar Naiik, whose wife is the Sarpanch candidate, alleged that opponents were distributing Rs 2,000 to each voter to sway their votes.
The second phase of voting took place on Sunday for 3,911 Sarpanch posts and 29,917 Ward Member posts across 193 mandals.
Over 57.22 lakh voters (comprising 29.26 lakh female and 27.96 lakh male) participated in deciding the fates of 12,782 candidates for Sarpanch roles and 71,071 for Ward Member positions.
In a peculiar development, a Sarpanch candidate who lost in Nalgonda district began collecting the money he had distributed to voters. This event was reported from Auravani village of Narkatpally mandal. Kalluri Balaraju, who was supported by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), lost to Jakkala Paramesh of the Congress party by a margin of 450 votes. Following his loss, Balaraju visited homes in the village, holding a deity's picture and pleading, 'If you voted for me, swear on God and tell me. Otherwise, return the money I gave you.'
He successfully retrieved funds from several voters, with his wife stating that they would not have asked for the money back if the loss had been by a margin of 50 or 60 votes.
Point of View
It is crucial to report these incidents with utmost sensitivity and objectivity. The events at the Telangana Panchayat polls underline the intense pressure and emotional strain faced by candidates and voters alike. While the democratic process is vital, it is equally important to address the human stories that unfold within it.
NationPress
14/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the candidate's death in Telangana?
The candidate, D. Nagaraju, died due to stress related to the election campaign just moments before the polling began.
What happened to the voter who collapsed during the polls?
A 70-year-old voter, Solipeta Butchaiah, collapsed after voting and was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
How many candidates were contesting in the Telangana Panchayat elections?
There were 12,782 candidates contesting for Sarpanch posts and 71,071 for Ward Member positions.
What was the incident involving the mobile phone tower?
The husband of a Sarpanch candidate protested by climbing a mobile phone tower, accusing rivals of distributing money to influence voters.
What unique action did a losing candidate take after the elections?
A losing candidate, Kalluri Balaraju, went door-to-door collecting money he had previously distributed to voters.
