‘TRS goons attacked us, distributed money’: BJP cries foul after losing Telangana’s Munugode
After the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost Telagana’s Munugode bypoll to the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) by over 10,000 votes, the saffron camp cried foul alleging attack by TRS goons. The party candidate not only termed TRS win a ‘fake victory’ but also alleged that his party workers were attacked and threatened by the ruling party.
In a keenly-fought contest, TRS candidate Kusukuntla Prabhakar Reddy defeated his BJP rival Komatireddy Raj Gopal Reddy by 10,113 votes. What was seen as a neck and neck race during the initial rounds of counting, soon surprised BJP as the margin increased to more than 10,000 votes.
“State government used its power and threatened us, that’s how TRS won. Police officers are in KCR’s hands. TRS goons didn’t let us campaign, we were attacked. We were threatened that cases will be filed against us if we don’t change party,” BJP’s Munugode candidate Rajagopal Reddy said after losing the seat.
“Despite these challenges we fought. TRS’s is fake victory, BJP was winning. We respect the verdict of the Munugode public, but we don’t accept those who have got votes in the wrong manner,” he added.
The BJP Telangana chief also echoed Rajagopal Reddy and alleged threats by the ruling party.
“We’ll respect the verdict of the people of Munugode. BJP candidate Komatireddy Raj Gopal Reddy fought this election like a hero. No matter how many threats were made by the ruling party, BJP workers worked unyieldingly,” Telangana BJP chief Bandi Sanjay said.
“This win is not a win. Munugode Bypoll is Election Commissioner’s win. TRS distributed money, but it wasn’t found anywhere. BJP is the party that has the guts to stop TRS. BJP has its presence all over Telangana. We’ll work with more commitment with aim of development,” added Bandi Sanjay.
TRS defeats BJP in Munugode
TRS, on the other hand, was elated with the win and thanked the people for support. “Thanks to the people of Munugodu for reposing faith in TRS party & Hon’ble CM KCR’s leadership. As promised, will adopt the constituency and work towards expeditious progress of pending works,” state minister and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao’s son K T Rama Rao tweeted.
The bypoll was necessitated by the resignation of Congress MLA Komatireddy Raj Gopal Reddy from his post and the party. He joined the BJP and sought re-election in the bypoll.
Notably, Telangana is ruled by K Chandrashekar Rao’s TRS and the two parties are currently engaging in a tussle in the state with KCR alleging BJP of poaching MLAs.
