Published Feb 11, 2026 | 12:35 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 11, 2026 | 12:35 PM
Erukala Mahadevappa.
Synopsis: Recently, a BJP candidate contesting the municipal elections in Telangana allegedly died by suicide. The BJP claimed that the man took the extreme step due to harassment by Congress workers, and demanded an impartial investigation.
The suicide of a BJP candidate contesting the municipal elections in Makthal town of Narayanpet district triggered a political storm in Telangana, with the Opposition party staging statewide protests and accusing the ruling Congress of harassment and intimidation.
The incident comes even as polling for the municipal elections was held across the state on Wednesday, 11 February.
Erukala Mahadevappa (45), a Scheduled Tribe (ST) leader from the Yerukala community and BJP candidate for councillor from Ward 6, was found hanging at his residence in the early hours of Tuesday.
The Narayanpet police registered a case of suspicious death and initiated proceedings. Later, the police are understood to have changed it to abetment to suicide. The body was shifted for post-mortem examination.
A long-time grassroots BJP worker and resident of Makthal, Mahadevappa was described by party leaders as a strong contender in the ward. According to his wife, as conveyed to BJP leaders, he had faced sustained pressure and threats from local Congress leaders and their supporters after filing his nomination papers.
Telangana BJP President N Ramchander Rao, who visited the bereaved family along with Mahbubnagar MP DK Aruna, alleged that Mahadevappa had previously been pressured to join the Congress. He claimed that in one instance, he was forcibly draped with a Congress scarf but resisted and later secured the BJP ticket.
Ramchander Rao further alleged that the harassment intensified during the campaign, with phone calls threatening him and demands that he withdraw his candidature. He accused local Congress leaders, allegedly linked to Sports and Animal Husbandry Minister Vakiti Srihari, of being behind the pressure tactics.
“Mahadevappa’s wife had said that ruling party leaders threatened him,” he said, adding that the candidate, unable to bear the pressure, ended his life.
The BJP has demanded an impartial investigation, alleging that the FIR was diluted by local police and that the candidate’s wife, not formally educated, was made to sign statements without fully understanding their contents.
The party has sought suspension of the officers concerned pending inquiry. Attempts to contact the Narayanpet Superintendent of Police and Makthal Inspector and Sub-Inspector for comment were unsuccessful.
The BJP also announced ₹10 lakh financial assistance to the bereaved family and urged the State Human Rights Commission to take cognisance of the case.
On 10 February, BJP leaders and activists staged a protest outside the office of the Director General of Police (DGP) in Hyderabad. When some workers attempted to march towards the premises, a scuffle broke out with the police, leading to the detention of several protesters.
Demonstrations were also reported from other parts of the state, with party workers accusing the Congress government of presiding over “jungle raj.”
The issue resonated in Parliament as well. Union Minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy raised the matter in the Lok Sabha, describing Mahadevappa’s death as a “chilling indictment of the political climate” in Telangana under Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy.
Referring to Narayanpet district as part of the erstwhile Mahabubnagar region, he termed the situation “jungle raj.” Rajya Sabha member K Laxman and other BJP leaders demanded strict action against those responsible. Some BJP leaders, including Bandi Sanjay, alleged that the death amounted to “murder” rather than suicide.
Minister Vakiti Srihari strongly denied the allegations, stating that he had never met Mahadevappa and had no role in the matter. He accused the BJP of politicising a personal tragedy for electoral gain and said the government would ensure a fair and impartial investigation. He added that he was prepared to face action if any evidence linked him to wrongdoing.
Narayanpet district, carved out of the erstwhile Mahabubnagar district, holds political significance in the region. With municipal elections underway, the incident has intensified political tensions, adding a charged atmosphere to an already high-stakes electoral contest.
(If you need support or know someone who has suicidal thoughts, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist or contact the helpline numbers of suicide prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families. Tele-MANAS: 14416; Life Suicide Prevention: 7893078930; Roshni: 9166202000, 9127848584.)
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
