Election Dispute Between CPI and Congress in Kothagudem
The election for the Singareni Tippers and Lorry Owners Welfare Association in Kothagudem has turned into a power struggle between the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Congress. Both parties are vying for control of the association, which plays an important role in coal transportation from Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) mines. The association also collects money from tipper owners for various reasons, making it a valuable entity.
Initially, the election was scheduled for November 20. However, disagreements within the association led to its division into two factions. When one faction accused the other of conducting the election unfairly, a member filed a complaint with the police. As a result, the police intervened and canceled the election.
Advocate and BSP state general secretary Yerra Kamesh, who was one of the election supervisors, accused a local CPI lawmaker of interfering in the election process. Kamesh alleged that the lawmaker incited members of a group within the association to block the election in an undemocratic manner. He also claimed that the association’s leaders had been requesting the lawmaker’s help to hold the election for the past eight months, but their appeals were ignored.
According to Kamesh, the association members eventually approached Congress leaders, including JB Showry, the convenor of the party’s Kothagudem Assembly constituency. With the district Congress president’s approval, arrangements were made for former MLA Podem Veeraiah to oversee the election. Kamesh argued that obstructing a fair election is illegal and vowed to take the matter to court, accusing CPI officials of trying to exploit the association for personal gains.
Meanwhile, CPI leaders denied any involvement in delaying or stopping the election. Reports also suggest that Congress leader Veeraiah criticized the CPI lawmaker for meddling in the association’s affairs. The issue has reportedly been escalated to Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka by certain Congress leaders.
The conflict highlights the growing tensions between the two parties over control of key local organizations, with both sides determined to assert their influence.
