Supporters of TRS MLAs clash in Gopavaram

Khammam: The MPTC elections in Gopavaram village of Konijerla mandal have divided the TRS followers in the village into two rival gangs. The followers of the sitting MLA and the followers of the former MLA resorted to fistfights after the Tuesday's polls.

According to sources, the Parishad polls were conducted in Gopavaram in Wyra constituency during the final and third phase of elections on Tuesday. Earlier, as the contesting MPTC candidate from TRS party was proposed by the sitting MLA, Ramulu Naik, the followers of former MLA Madan Lal expressed their dissatisfaction over the decision. To placate the party supporters, both Ramulu Naik and Madhan Lal spoke to the party workers and appealed them to support the party candidate.

Although it felt like the conflict was resolved, the followers of Ramulu Naik on Wednesday alleged that the supporters of Madan Lal betrayed the party and did not vote for the TRS candidate. When they alleged them of crossvoting, a tiff ensued between the two groups with the members exchanging blows and hurting each other with knives. Several members on both sides suffered injuries and were shifted to Khammam Government hospital for treatment.

However, it is being heard that the major cause for the fight was prior differences and conflicts between two families in the village which eventually went extreme on the election day.

Meanwhile, the police officers, who arrived at the village after receiving the information, tried to pacify the members. Several police officers have been deployed in Gopavaram village to prevent any untoward incidents further. Ramulu Naik and Madan Lal are yet to comment on the incident.