Sympathy is usually shown to families after someone dies. Public emotions also turn soft and supportive. Even strong rivals avoid harsh words. But Telangana voters are showing a different trend. Sympathy is not converting into votes when sitting MLAs pass away. Since the formation of Telangana in 2014, six sitting MLAs died while in office. Their family members entered the bypoll race with emotional appeal but faced mixed results.
In Narayankhed, MLA P. Krishna Reddy died and his son Sanjeev Reddy failed. In Palair, after the death of Venkata Reddy, his wife Sucharitha Reddy got a Congress ticket but lost to the BRS candidate. In Cantonment, Sayanne’s family received a ticket later, but his daughter passed away soon. Her sister Nivedita got a chance but lost to the Congress candidate. In Jubilee Hills, Gopinath’s wife Sunitha contested but Congress candidate Naveen Yadav won with a strong majority.
Only in Nagarjuna Sagar, sympathy turned positive. Nomula Narsimhaiah’s son Bhagath won due to support and development promises. In Dubbaka, sympathy also failed and BJP candidate Raghunandan Rao secured the victory. Analysts say that Telangana voters are choosing development and ruling power over emotional votes.
