The ongoing three-phase Telangana local body elections have taken a distressing turn, with several sarpanch and ward member candidates ending their lives due to mounting campaign pressure, political rivalry and financial burden. The back-to-back incidents have created widespread concern across rural Telangana.
In Sangareddy district’s Raikode mandal, Pippadpally village sarpanch contestant Raju (36), backed by the Congress, ended his life after reportedly becoming overwhelmed by fears of defeat and lack of support during campaigning. After expressing his emotional distress to companions the previous night, he was later found dead. Police have initiated an investigation.
In Ranga Reddy district, two incidents were reported within 24 hours. Palle Latha (42), ward-8 candidate from Manchala Guda, collapsed from sudden chest pain during campaigning and died while being taken to the hospital. In Farooqnagar mandal’s Kamsanpally village, Shekhar (24), a ward member contestant, ended his life on the railway tracks after alleged pressure from rivals to withdraw his nomination. His family stated that he faced threats of false legal cases if he stayed in the race.
In Sangareddy district, Chakriyala village ward-8 contestant Kotholla Padma Rao (50) passed away in his sleep due to cardiac arrest following an exhaustive day of campaigning. Authorities confirmed that polling will continue as the number of candidates remains sufficient.
In Nirmal district, Ravinder (54), husband of a woman sarpanch candidate from Ervachintal (Somarpet) village, ended his life at home amid intense political pressure related to the nomination. Police have received a complaint from his wife and are investigating the circumstances.
Another incident linked to overwhelming campaign fatigue occurred in Mahabubabad district, where Nadivada village Congress-supported sarpanch candidate Buchchi Reddy (70) collapsed after late-night canvassing and later died during treatment.
Similarly, in Rajanna Sirisilla district, Chintalthana R&R village BRS-backed sarpanch contestant Charla Murali (53) passed away due to a sudden heart attack shortly after returning from campaign activities.
The recurring incidents across multiple districts reveal a worrying pattern of emotional distress, financial strain and fear of electoral loss among rural candidates. Social organisations and analysts have urged the state to examine election-linked stress, especially at the village level where campaigning has become financially competitive and politically aggressive.