ANANTAPUR: The Congress has improved upon its popularity and the opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) suffered a setback. Of the five municipalities and one corporation, the Congress won four and the verdict was hung in two municipalities.

It wrested Rayadurg municipality from the TDP, besides retaining Anantapur Corporation and Tadipatri and Kadiri municipalities. On the other hand, the TDP had to content itself with a hung verdict in Dharmavaram and Guntakal and bettering its tally in Kadiri.

In Anantapur Corporation, the Congress bagged 31 out of 50 divisions with its allies CPI(M) and CPI winning 2 and 1 divisions, respectively. The TDP won in 10 divisions while independents bagged six. Congress improved its popular vote remarkably in Rayadurg, Dharmavaram and Guntakal towns.

The loss in Rayadurg for the first time since its emergence has left the TDP leadership shocked. Of the 31 wards, the Congress won 28 and the TDP three.

Lucky winner

The hung verdict in Dharmavaram has also left the TDP disappointed. Of the 40 wards it managed to win only 18. The Congress won 14, BJP (3), CPI-M (2) and independents (3). The TDP won the 37th ward in the lottery method after its candidate tied with the Congress nominee with 605 votes each.

As the TDP has its legislator's vote and the Congress MP from Hindupur has already utilised his option in Hindupur, the three councillors of the BJP are likely to be the deciding factor.

Councillors shifted

According to reports, the TDP has already moved its councillors along with an independent to Venkatapuram, native of Penukonda legislator Paritala Sunita. The Congress has reportedly moved two independents to its camp.

Meanwhile, the TDP was in touch with BJP general secretary Naresh to seek BJP support.

In Guntakal too, the TDP won in 18 wards followed by Congress (14), BJP (3), CPI-M (2) and independents (3), out of a total of 40.

In Kadiri Congress bagged 19 out of 36 wards, TDP 16 and CPI one. Interestingly, all the three chairperson aspirants of the Congress suffered defeat. In Tadipatri the Congress bagged 31 wards out of 34 and one each went to TDP, CPI and an independent.

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