KTR consoles kin of BRS activist allegedly killed by Congress, says murder politics not acceptable

HYDERABAD: BRS working president and former minister KTR on Sunday expressed concern over the murder politics being pursued in Telangana state like never before and warned that there would be no tolerance if there were attacks on his party workers.

He said that the whole party would stand by every single worker.

KTR, along with senior party leaders, former ministers Niranjan Reddy, Srinivas Goud, Lakshma Reddy, former MLAs Beeram Harshvardhan Reddy, paid tribute to retired army jawan Chikkepalli Mallesh, who was brutally murdered on December 29 in Gantraupalli village of Peddkottapalli mandal, Nagar Kurnool district.

The former minister, along with MLA Sanjay, MLC Shambipur Raju and others, visited Mallesh's house and assured support to the bereaved family. KTR paid floral tribute and spoke to Mallesh's wife, children and family members and consoled them.

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KTR said that the party would take full responsibility of Mallesh's children and gave them financial assistance of Rs 5 lakhs on behalf of the party. He said that retired army jawan Mallesh worked for the party's victory.

KTR said that in the past political murders never happened in Telangana state, but today Mallesh was killed by political opponents. Stating that winning and losing in politics was natural, but killing in this way was evil, KTR appealed to Minister Jupalli Krishna Rao to stop such activities saying that this kind of killings and culture of violence was not good.

He said that even though we were in the government for 10 years in the past, there were no attacks on any Congress worker or Congress leaders and this kind of culture was not encouraged.

He emphasised the need for strict action against those involved in the crime and ensuring justice for Mallesh's family. He believed that Mallesh was targeted for political reasons and an attempt was made to link it to land disputes. KTR urged the government to conduct an unbiased investigation, sharing important details like the criminals' call records with the public. He suggested that the DGP should personally oversee the investigation to ensure impartiality.

Furthermore, KTR assured the party workers of support to them and their families and warned that attacks on them would not be tolerated.

He requested the media to raise awareness about the rising trend of political violence in Telangana. KTR also warned the Congress party that the people would hold them accountable for engaging in such politics of murder.