Truck rams Teenmaar Mallanna’s car during BC Rajyadhikara Padayatra; four injured, march suspended

The accident occurred while the padayatra was proceeding towards Tirumalagiri from Mothkur as part of Mallanna's campaign advocating political representation and empowerment of Backward Classes in Telangana.

According to preliminary information, a truck travelling along the route collided with Mallanna's vehicle from behind, resulting in injuries to several people associated with the procession. Among those seriously injured were Medaboyina Sainath and his wife Chandana, residents of Tirumalagiri.

Mallanna's driver, identified as Bunny, and his close associate Ranganna also sustained injuries in the accident. Details regarding their medical condition and the treatment being provided were not immediately available.

Following the incident, the Telangana Rajyadhikara Party announced that the ongoing padayatra would be suspended temporarily. The party alleged that the accident was deliberately orchestrated to obstruct Mallanna's political campaign and endanger the lives of those participating in the procession.

In a statement, TRP claimed that the collision was not merely an unfortunate road accident but a deliberate attempt to disrupt the BC Rajyadhikara Padayatra. The party, however, did not provide independently verifiable evidence establishing that the collision was intentional.

The party leadership said the decision to suspend the march was taken following consultations with its advisory and intellectual circles. It added that the next course of action, including the resumption of the padayatra, would be announced shortly.

The incident has raised concerns about the safety of participants in political marches, particularly those involving large gatherings moving along public roads alongside regular vehicular traffic.

Teenmaar Mallanna, a journalist-turned-politician and Member of the Telangana Legislative Council, has been campaigning for greater political participation and representation of Backward Classes. His BC Rajyadhikara Padayatra is intended to mobilise support for the community's political aspirations and strengthen the organisational presence of the Telangana Rajyadhikara Party.

The campaign has focused on the demand for a greater share of political power for Backward Classes, an issue that has increasingly occupied centre stage in Telangana politics.

Friday's accident has interrupted the campaign at a crucial stage, with party leaders now awaiting further developments before announcing a revised schedule.

While TRP has alleged a conspiracy behind the collision, the circumstances of the accident, including the truck driver's actions and the cause of the crash, require investigation by the police. No official finding establishing deliberate wrongdoing was available in the information released following the incident.

The immediate priority remains the medical treatment of the injured and clarification of the circumstances surrounding the collision.

The Telangana Rajyadhikara Party has indicated that the suspension is temporary and that its campaign for BC political empowerment will continue once the leadership finalises its next programme.