A worker for the Bharat Rashtra Samithi party died following a confrontation between supporters of the ruling Congress and the opposition in Suryapet district. The clash occurred ahead of the commencement of polling for the first phase of gram panchayat elections, police reported on Wednesday. In response to the tragedy, BRS Working President KT Rama Rao accused the Congress of engaging in "politics of murder."
"It shows the bankruptcy of the ruling party that it is resorting to physical attacks as it is unable to face the elections democratically," he stated.
The incident took place in Lingampalli village on Tuesday after the official election campaign period had concluded. An initial verbal altercation between the two groups escalated into a physical fight involving sticks and stones, resulting in a head injury to the 57-year-old worker, officials said.
"He was initially admitted to a hospital in Suryapet and then shifted to another hospital in Hyderabad but was declared brought dead in the wee hours of Wednesday," a senior police official told the media.
The deceased worker's daughter-in-law is running as a ward member in the ongoing elections.
In their complaint to the police, the family members of the deceased alleged that he was killed during the attack by Congress supporters.
The situation in the village has reportedly stabilised, and additional police forces have been deployed to maintain order.
In a statement, Rama Rao asserted that "BRS would not tolerate the atrocities of Congress goondas." He promised that the BRS leadership would support every party worker and leader and provide assistance to the family of the deceased activist.
Rama Rao called for the police to take stringent action against those responsible for the attack.
A case has been officially registered at Nuthankal police station, and the investigation is underway.
The Telangana State Election Commission had previously announced a three-phased schedule for the state's gram panchayat elections, set to take place on December 11, 14, and 17.
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