Defeat driving TDP leaders, activists to commit suicide

The humiliating defeat of the Telugu Desam Party in Andhra is driving its leaders and workers to frustration and even suicide.

The humiliating defeat of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Andhra Pradesh is driving its leaders and workers to frustration and even suicide. A leader and two party workers are reported to have committed suicide in the last two days.

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Unable to bear his defeat, TDP candidate from Anantapur assembly constituency Rahmatullah on Friday committed suicide at his house in Anantapur town.

Rahmatullah, son of former MP KM Saifulla, shot himself from his revolver. Shocked over this, his wife also attempted suicide.

Rahmatullah, 32, had recently joined the TDP and was defeated by Congress candidate B Narayana Reddy by more than 37,000 votes.

Family members said he was in deep depression ever since the result was announced on Tuesday. Rahmatullah was alone in his room when he killed himself.

In Hyderabad, TDP president and former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu appealed to his party leaders and activists not to lose heart and face the situation with courage.

He said two party workers had committed suicide in Visakhapatnam and Rajahmundry and a third activist died of a heart attack in Kuttagudem.

He said the TDP would send three teams of party leaders to these places to meet the family members and convey their heartfelt condolences.

"I want to tell my party workers that suicide is not a solution. Be brave and face the situation with courage. The party has a bright future ahead," he said.

The TDP, which ruled the state for nine years, got only 47 seats in 294-member assembly. This was party's worst performance in its 22-year history. The party could win only five out of 42 Lok Sabha eats in the state.