Tension prevails during polling in 4 KMC divsion

Tension prevailed in four divisions during polling in the Khammam Municipal Corporation on Friday.

Heated arguments took place between Congress workers and police in 57th Division after police took Mustafa, spouse of Congress candidate Rasheeda Begum, into custody. Mustafa was taken away to a police station on allegations of campaigning near a polling station. Congress leaders led by DCC president Puvvalla Durga Prasad alleged that Mustafa was arrested as he was not allowing bogus voters to be polled by the ruling party at a booth.

Four Congress workers poured kerosene on their bodies and threatened to immolate themselves if Mustafa was not released immediately. CLP leader Bhatti Vikramarka, who got the information, phoned election observer Nadeem Ahmad and registered his protest. He accused police of acting at the instance of transport minister Puvvada Ajay Kumar. Later, police released Mustafa who returned to the polling booth.

Similar protests were witnessed In 55th Division after police took Sudhakar, husband of Congress candidate Srivani into custody. There were also heated arguments between Congress and TRS workers in 50th Division when Mikkilineni Narender, Congress leader, raised objection to campaigning by TRS leaders near the polling booth with pink umbrellas; pink being the TRS party’s colour. Narender’s wife is contesting from this ward.

Former MLC and BJP leader P. Sudhakar Reddy alleged police have crossed their limits by extending their open support to TRS candidates. This has helped TRS cast bogus votes by impersonating and threatening agents of other parties in various booths.

● FOUR CONGRESS workers poured kerosene on their bodies and threatened to immolate themselves if Mustafa was not released immediately. CLP leader Bhatti Vikramarka, who got the information, phoned election observer Nadeem Ahmad and registered his protest.