Munugode by-poll: Congress office in Chandur set on fire ahead of Revanth's road shows

Hyderabad: Ahead of the Munugode by-elections, unknown persons set fire to the Congress party office in Chandur mandal, Munugode, on Monday morning, damaging campaign materials and the office.

The police reached the spot and are investigating.

Congress leader Shabbir Ali, who is in charge of Chandur mandal, said some unknown miscreants burnt the office ahead of Telangana Congress president Revanth Reddy's meetings and rallies which are scheduled for Tuesday. "We demand that the police arrest those responsible within 24 hours. TRS and BJP cannot bear the fact that Congress is doing well in the constituency," Mr. Ali said.

Several Congress leaders and supporters held protests against BJP and TRS at Chandur after the incident.

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) in charge Manickam Tagore condemned the attack and said, "The ECI must intervene as BJP government's 18,000 crores and TRS government's crores are used and violence unleashed on us."

Posters target BJP by-poll candidate

Meanwhile, a series of posters with the title "Contract Pe" has emerged in Chandur targeting BJP candidate Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy and alleging that he made quid pro quo arrangements with the BJP and received contacts from the Centre worth Rs. 18,000 crores.

Several posters have been stuck on multiple walls and buildings as well.

A transaction ID, "BJP18THOUSANDCRORES," was seen on some posters, while some claimed that Rajagopal Reddy earned Rs. 500 crores as bonus.

Congress MLA-turned-BJP leader Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy, who is facing allegations of receiving a mining contract worth Rs. 18,000 crores from the NDA government, filed his nomination for the upcoming Munugude by-polls on 10 October.

According to the affidavit accessed by NewsMeter, the 55-year-old owns assets (movable and immovable properties) worth Rs. 222.67 crores. While his spouse K. Laxmi owns properties worth Rs. 52.44 crores. The total wealth of the couple is worth Rs. 275.11 crores.

Meet the candidates

The BJP announced former Congress MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy as its candidate.

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi announced former MLA and constituency in charge Koosukuntla Prabhakar Reddy as its candidate.

The Indian National Congress, on 9 September, approved the candidature of Palvai Sravanthi for Munugode.

The Munugode by-election is scheduled to be held on 3 November. The results will be announced on 6 November.

Black magic allegations

On Monday, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) against BJP Telangana president Bandi Sanjay for alleging that KCR is indulging in black magic and tantric poojas. Along with their complaint, the TRS submitted newspaper clippings of Bandi Sanjay's statements as proof.

The TRS denied the allegations made by Bandi Sanjay.