Villagers of Kappala Banda in Anantapur district have agreed to elect a sarpanch unopposed, with the ₹29 lakh auction amount intended for the construction of a Lord Sri Rama temple. (DC Image)

Anantapur: Villagers of Kappala Banda gram panchayat in Garladinne mandal have agreed to elect Telugu Desam leader B. Narayana as sarpanch unopposed after he offered ₹29 lakh in an auction for the post.

Villagers plan to use the amount to construct a Lord Sri Rama temple in the village.

Village elders said they had for long planned to build a temple in the village, which has no shrine.

They estimated that its construction would cost around ₹20 lakh.

However, they could not build the temple due to various issues, including severe drought over consecutive years.

With the state government announcing financial incentives for gram panchayats that elect their sarpanches unanimously, the villagers decided to use the forthcoming elections to raise funds for the temple as well as village development.

They opened the auction for the sarpanch post with a starting offer of ₹20 lakh.

Narayana emerged as the highest bidder with an offer of ₹29 lakh.

The auction had been held on Thursday.

It came to light on Saturday after the information went viral on social media.

Villagers said they have agreed to elect Narayana as sarpanch unopposed.

They observed that the arrangement would avoid election-related clashes and tension in the village.

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