The suicide of a woman sarpanch candidate led to tension at Darsi in Prakasm district on Sunday as her relatives and supporters clashed with police at the clock tower centre.
Protestors and policemen fought pitched battles leading to tension in the area for over six hours. Relatives alleged Katti Venkataratnamma (39), who lost Turpu Veerayapalem panchayat election, ended her life due to humiliation by circle inspector V Sriram. According to sources, the victim was backed by the TDP in the election. She was defeated by YSRC candidate P Alivelamma by just 12 votes. Venkataratnamma demanded recounting, but the result was the same after the recount. However, she wanted one more recount, which was turned down.
When TDP activists staged a dharna at the counting centre, a police team led by Sriram rushed to the spot Venkataratnammma had an argument with them. She hanged herself at her house early in the morning.