In a bizarre incident, BRS candidate from Dubbaka constituency Kotha Prabhakar Reddy was stabbed by an alleged Congress activist during the election campaign. The incident took place when Mr Prabhakar Reddy was taking part in the election campaign in Surampalli village. One G Raju came to shake hands with the candidate and stabbed him.
An alert security personnel saved Mr Prabhakar Reddy. He was immediately shifted to a private hospital in Hyderabad. He sustained severe injuries to his intestines and doctors performed surgery on him. He was advised to be in hospital for about 10 days until the injuries were cured. Doctors said injuries were grievous and he needed careful observation.
The chief minister Mr KCR who was in campaign at Jukkal was startled at the development. He wanted to wind up his tour but Minister T Harish Rao asked him to continue his campaign while he dashed to see Mr Prabhakar Reddy. Immediately returning to Hyderabad, CM KCR visited the hospital and inquired about the health of Mr Prabhakar Reddy.
Condemning the incident, Mr KCR said those morally bankrupt parties are resorting to physical attacks unable to fight in the elections in Telangana. He said his party cadre could also do the same but his party never wanted the violence. There is no place for violence in democracy. The candidates should seek the blessings of the people and should not eliminate each other to win an election.
Mr KCR during his meetings at Jukkal, Banswada and Narayankhed told people that he was very much disturbed by the murder attempt on his party candidate Mr Prabhakar Reddy. The BJP candidate in Dubbaka, Mr M Raghunandan Rao said his party had nothing to do with the incident and condemned it. He said there is no place for violence in democracy.
BRS working president Mr KTR expressed his shock at the incident and challenged the Opposition parties to play a fair game. They should not resort to cheap tricks and violence to win the election. The Party cadre in Dubbaka has called for a bandh in the constituency. Minister Mr Harish Rao said they would inquire if there is any political motive for the incident.
The accused was arrested by the police and an investigation is on. The incident is the first of its kind in elections in Telangana state that alarmed the people and the contesting candidates.
By Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao