Hyderabad, Feb 10 (TNT): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday demanded immediate action against those responsible for the alleged harassment that led to the suicide of Erukala Mahadevappa, a BJP candidate in the Makthal Municipality elections in Narayanpet district.
BJP Telangana State President N Ramchander Rao said he was deeply shaken by reports that Mahadevappa, who belonged to the Scheduled Tribe community and was contesting from Ward No. 6, took the extreme step following intimidation and threats allegedly by local Congress leaders.
However, Director General of Police (DGP) B Shivadhar Reddy while speaking to the press,said that ‘no suicide note’ was recovered in the death of Mahadevappa.
So far, neither no specific information or complaint has been received from the family members about the death, but further investigations are underway, the DGP added.
In a statement before leaving for Makthal, Rao alleged that Mahadevappa was subjected to sustained harassment after the success of a BJP rally in the town during the municipal election campaign.
He claimed that threatening phone calls were made to the candidate and that he was unable to withstand what Rao described as “mafia-style politics and arrogance” of the ruling party leaders. Rao further alleged that the harassment was carried out under the direction of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.
The BJP state chief demanded an impartial inquiry into the incident and said the party would fight until justice is delivered to Mahadevappa’s family.
The issue was also raised in Parliament by Union Minister G Kishan Reddy and Rajya Sabha MP K Laxman.
Kishan Reddy, while speaking in the Lok Sabha, held the Congress government in Telangana responsible for the circumstances that allegedly led to the suicide and condemned what he termed intimidation politics in the Chief Minister’s home district.
Laxman said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi should respond to the incident, asserting that it involved serious constitutional and human rights concerns.
After reaching Makthal, the state BJP Chief met Mahadevappa’s family and interacted with local residents and party workers to gather details.
Speaking to the media later, he said Mahadevappa’s wife stated that her husband was confident of winning the election but had been living in constant fear due to alleged harassment by ruling party leaders.
She reportedly told BJP leaders that the pressure forced her husband to take his own life.
Rao further alleged that the local police had altered the First Information Report (FIR).
He claimed that Mahadevappa’s wife, who is not educated, was made to sign documents without fully understanding them and that a “false FIR” was registered by changing key details.
He strongly condemned the alleged police action and warned that officers who failed to act impartially would face consequences.
Questioning the police role, Rao said it was unjust for law enforcement agencies, meant to protect citizens, to allegedly behave under political pressure.
He termed the incident a grave injustice to a Scheduled Tribe family and accused the Congress of acting with bias against ST communities.
Rao also recalled that Mahadevappa was earlier allegedly forced to wear a Congress party scarf but later returned to the BJP and contested the election as a committed party worker.
He urged the district Superintendent of Police to immediately visit the spot, conduct a fair inquiry, rectify the alleged false FIR, and ensure a proper post-mortem examination.
He also demanded the immediate suspension of police officials allegedly involved in altering the FIR.
Announcing support for the bereaved family, Rao said the BJP would provide ₹10 lakh as financial assistance to Mahadevappa’s family and assured that the party would stand by them until justice is served and the FIR is correcte
TNT TS
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