The scene that was seen between the power of money and the decision of the public in the Nizamabad Municipal Corporation elections of Telangana, created history. Congress’s mayoral candidate from 19th division of Nizamabad Municipal Corporation, K. To get her nomination done, Shamanta paid the outstanding tax of the last 17 years, which was about Rs 8 crore 16 lakh, to the Municipal Corporation treasury, but when the votes were counted, the public gave her a crushing defeat at the hands of the BJP candidate in her own division. This incident happened at a time when the election results were declared and despite huge investment, the Congress party candidate had to face defeat.
what is the whole matter?
When I understood this whole matter deeply, a surprising truth came to light. Actually, Congress candidate Shamanta’s husband Narendra Reddy is the owner of a major hotel in the city. The mayor’s seat was reserved for women and Congress had already declared Shamanta as the mayor candidate. It was necessary to have a No Due Certificate to file nomination, but there was huge property tax pending in his name since 2009.
According to sources, when the corporation officials refused to give the certificate, the family approached the High Court. After the hearing that lasted till midnight in the court, it was clearly said that everyone is equal before the law and nomination is not possible without paying the dues. After this, on the last date of elections the family had to deposit Rs 8.16 crore through 6 demand drafts (DD). In the history of Nizamabad Corporation, such a huge amount has come together from one person, which filled the treasury.
Administrative irregularities seen during the election process
This entire episode showed those faces of local politics, which often remain hidden. The Municipal Corporation often takes strict action against the common man for demanding tax of Rs 100-200, but not being able to recover this huge dues for the last 17 years shows administrative irregularities.
During the elections, it was also discussed that in order to become mayor, Shamanta gave Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 per vote to the voters and spent a total of Rs 20 crore. People said that a person who could not pay such a huge amount as tax, how is he spending so much in elections? This question was deep in the minds of the people.
Corporation benefited, Congress candidate got a shock
The result was that the public rose above the greed for money and gave its verdict. The mayor candidate lost to BJP in her own division. She returned disappointed from the counting centre. This incident proves that dues are recovered only when elections come, but votes cannot be bought with money alone. The corporation made profit, but Congress suffered a big blow by losing this ‘soft seat’. This election is a lesson for those politicians who consider the people weak for power.
