EC serious on BRS Candidate Kaushik Reddy’s suicide threat

The Election Commission has initiated an inquiry into the reported threat made by Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) candidate Kaushik Reddy during an election rally in Huzurabad constituency, Karimnagar district. The Commission has directed the returning officer to investigate the matter and submit a detailed report.

Addressing the public during the final campaign day on Tuesday, Kaushik Reddy made a controversial statement, suggesting that if he loses the election, he and his family would resort to suicide. He conveyed to the audience that in case of victory, there would be a celebratory procession, but in the event of defeat, a funeral procession was to be expected on December 4.

Standing alongside his wife and daughter, Kaushik Reddy left the decision to the voters, stating that it was their choice whether they wanted to witness his family taking their lives by hanging. He emphasized that the outcome depended on the electorate, urging them to vote in his favor for a chance to represent them in the Assembly.

Kaushik Reddy is in contention against BJP’s incumbent MLA and former minister Eatala Rajender, as well as Congress candidate Vodithala Pranav. Notably, Kaushik Reddy had previously contested and lost in the 2018 elections from the same constituency as a Congress candidate against Rajender, who was then elected on a TRS ticket (now BRS).

In 2021, following Rajender’s switch to BJP and subsequent resignation as MLA, Kaushik Reddy joined BRS in the hope of securing a party ticket for the ensuing by-election. However, BRS fielded G. Srinivas Yadav instead, and Rajender retained the seat with a substantial majority. Subsequently, Kaushik Reddy was nominated to the Legislative Council by BRS, but the party has now fielded him against Rajender in the upcoming Assembly elections.

Rajender, the BJP MLA, is also contesting against BRS president and Chief Minister KCR in the Gajwel constituency. The elections for the 119-member Assembly are slated for November 30, with the vote counting scheduled for December 3. The Election Commission is actively addressing concerns raised by Kaushik Reddy’s controversial remarks, ensuring a fair and lawful electoral process.