Death of BJP candidate sparks uproar

In a shocking incident amid the ongoing municipal elections, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Erukula Mahadevappa, from Chandapoor village, committed suicide by hanging at his residence in Makthal, Narayanapet district, early  morning of Tuesday. Mahadevappa was contesting the 6th Ward (reserved for Scheduled Tribes) in Makthal Municipality, where intense campaigning was underway. According to local accounts, the suicide stemmed from overwhelming election-related pressures, including financial strains—he had informed party workers he could only afford ₹1 lakh for expenses—and demands for money and liquor distribution in the ward. 

Family members and BJP leaders allege additional factors, such as sustained harassment, threats, and intimidation from rival Congress "goons," driven by fear of electoral defeat.

The tragedy unfolded in a unique familial context: Mahadevappa's elder brother was fielded by Congress, while his younger brother initially contested for Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) but withdrew on nomination deadline day, leaving a heated two-way race between siblings. His body was rushed to Maktal Government Hospital for postmortem, triggering high tension as thousands of BJP workers gathered, chanting slogans demanding justice and action against those responsible. Police deployed heavy security, registered a case, and initiated probes into phone records and potential suicide notes, while considering prohibitory orders under Section 144 to avert unrest.

In response, Returning Officer officially cancelled the 6th Ward election, citing municipal rules and awaiting further directives from the State Election Commission.

BJP leaders reacted vehemently. Telangana BJP President N. Ramchander Rao expressed profound grief, calling the incident "extremely distressing" and extending condolences to the family, whom he visited in Maktal. He blamed Congress's "chaotic politics" and harassment for pushing Mahadevappa to the edge, vowing an intensified struggle for justice and demanding an impartial investigation. Union Minister Bandi Sanjay escalated the rhetoric, accusing Congress of outright murder disguised as suicide, warning, "Don't mistake our patience for cowardice." He demanded immediate arrests of culpable Congress leaders, a fair probe, and pledged a "war" against the ruling party post-elections, referencing BJP's history of resisting BRS chaos.

The outrage culminated in a protest at the DGP office in Hyderabad, led by Rao, where BJP workers attempted to storm 

the premises alleging foul play. Police detained protesters and removed them. Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy and Rajya Sabha MP K. Laxman raised the matter in Parliament, amplifying calls for transparency in the postmortem.

Minister Srihari slams BJP for politicizing Tragic Suicide

In a strong rebuttal to BJP leaders' allegations, Minister Vakiti Srihari expressed profound grief over the suicide of BJP's 6th Ward candidate Mahadevappa in Makthal, terming it "deeply heartbreaking." Extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, Srihari condemned the BJP's attempts to exploit the tragedy for political mileage in upcoming municipal elections as "utterly unethical and inhumane."

Srihari emphasized his staunch opposition to violence and factionalism, describing his own persona as one that "wouldn't harm even an ant." Having risen through the ranks from Sarpanch to ZPTC member and MLA without ever causing harm to anyone, he called for healthy politics and decried the BJP's false propaganda aimed at electoral gains. "Instead of standing by the grieving family, BJP leaders are resorting to baseless accusations," he stated.

Naming prominent BJP figures like N Ramachandra Rao, Union Ministers Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay, and MPs DK Aruna and K Laxman, Srihari criticized their remarks as irresponsible and detrimental to democracy. He categorically denied any involvement in Mahadevappa's death, challenging accusers to provide proof and affirming readiness for any consequences.

The Minister assured an impartial government inquiry into the incident and urged the media to report facts accurately, warning against misleading the public. "Politicizing workers' suicides erodes democratic values," Srihari stresses, advocating for compassion over opportunism.