Political tensions escalated in Kothapet of Shadnagar constituency as the inauguration of the newly constructed Gram Panchayat building approached. The controversy led to police intervention and the detention of key political figures.
The construction of the Kothapet Gram Panchayat building was funded by government NREGS funds amounting to Rs 20 lakh. It became a power struggle between the ruling Congress party and the opposition BRS party. Sarpanch Naveen Kumar and MPTC Mallesh, affiliated with the BRS party, were taken into police custody.
The dispute arose from the ruling party’s insistence that the inauguration ceremony should involve all political factions. They wanted MLA Veerlapalli Shankar to attend, which delayed the planned inauguration set by the opposition for January 22.
Officials filed a complaint as the disagreement intensified, leading to police intervention to prevent the opening ceremony. A security guard was stationed at the Gram Panchayat building.
Sarpanch Kumar expressed concern over what he believed was a deliberate attempt by ruling party leaders to obstruct the inauguration. He claimed that they were manipulating the situation to prevent him from inaugurating the building before the end of his term.
Kumar vowed to pursue legal action against those responsible for filing complaints and obstructing the inauguration. He questioned MLA Shankar’s interference and stressed his right as Sarpanch to oversee the building’s inauguration.
