Kova Laxmi’s unopposed election sparks row, rivals accuse her of abduction

Adilabad: A feverish grabbing of Zilla Parishad chairmen's posts is visible even before the results of the ZP elections are out. The controversy over former MLA Kova Laxmi being elected unanimously as in Jainoor is an indication of this.

There are 15 Zilla Parishad Territorial Con-stituencies in Kumaram-bheem Asifabad district and winning the chairman's post has become a matter of prestige. Such candidates are under pressure and are indulging in all sorts of misdeeds to grab the post by hook or by crook.

Ms Kova Laxmi of the TRS is contesting from Jainoor in Kumarambheem Asifabad district. Congress leaders had complained to the collector that their candidate Rathod Hari's signature was forged and he was forced to withdraw his nomination to make way for Ms Kova Laxmi's unanimous election.

The same is the case with BJP's candidate Mesram Chandrakala Bai who has also lodged a complaint with the collector stating that Ms Kova Laxmi's supporters had kidnapped her and forced her to withdraw her nomination.

District collector Rajiv Gandhi Hanumanthu reportedly said he would bring the issue to the notice of the Election Commission and will take action on the allegations levelled against Ms Kova Laxmi.

BJP candidate Mesram Chandrakala requested the collector to cancel Ms Kova Laxmi’s election and conduct fresh elections since. She has also alleged that after kidnapping her along with her husband, Ms Kova Laxmi’s supporters kept them their custody for one day before taking them to the MPDO office to withdraw the nomination.