Posthumous Victory, Clashes Mar Panchayat Oath-Taking In Karimnagar And Warangal Districts

KARIMNAGAR: A new chapter of local governance began as newly elected sarpanches and ward members were sworn in across the erstwhile Karimnagar and Warangal districts. While some villages celebrated the return of elected bodies after years of delay, others witnessed tense and unusual developments, including a posthumous victory and political clashes during the ceremonies.

An emotionally charged and rare situation unfolded at the R&R Colony in Chintal Thana of Vemulawada in Rajanna Sircilla district. Cherla Murali, who contested for the sarpanch post, died of a heart attack shortly before the elections. Despite his death, he won the poll by a margin of 358 votes. As the sarpanch seat is now technically vacant, officials administered the oath only to the deputy sarpanch and ward members, with the village awaiting further instructions on filling the post.

In Jagtial district, Mallapur major gram panchayat finally got an elected body after a prolonged seven-year gap. Newly elected sarpanch Chityala Laxman and deputy sarpanch Gaddam Somareddy were sworn in along with ward members. Residents expressed relief, hoping the new body would resolve long-pending civic issues that remained unattended in the absence of local governance.

The celebratory atmosphere turned tense in Chennaraopet mandal of Warangal district when a clash broke out between Congress and BRS workers during the swearing-in ceremony. The dispute reportedly began over which party’s songs should be played, as the sarpanch belonged to the BRS while the deputy sarpanch represented the ruling Congress. The argument escalated into a physical altercation, with supporters hurling chairs at each other, prompting police intervention to restore order.

In a lighter episode from Gollapalli mandal of Jagtial district, temple officials at the Mallanna Temple in Mallannapeta village found sample ballot papers inside the hundi. It later emerged that Mudam Gautami, a sarpanch candidate, and Bangudapu Ravinder, a ward member candidate, had placed their sample ballots in the hundi as a prayer for victory during a recent festival. Both candidates went on to win their respective elections, turning the discovery into a talking point among villagers.

Despite the mixed scenes, the swearing-in ceremonies formally marked the beginning of a five-year term for rural local bodies in both districts. While the day reflected public enthusiasm for renewed local governance, the incidents of friction underlined the intense political contest surrounding grassroots elections.