Kakinada: Upsetting the calculations of the ruling Congress, its archrival Telugu Desam has clinched a majority of MPTCs by winning 36 seats as against the total of 60 seats. The Congress got 20 MPTCs while the CPI (ML) Liberation secured two and the Independents two. However, the Congress has bagged four out of the total seven ZPTCs in the agency area, giving a jolt to the TDP and its ally CPI (M). Despite the tall claims made by the CPI (M) leaders, it failed to open its account and also in making entry into the Zilla Parishad.

Interestingly, in Maredumilli mandal, where the CPI (M) contested for the ZPTC, of the total five MPTCs, four went to its ally TDP while the other went in favour of CPI (ML) Liberation, clearly indicating there was cross voting, resulting in Congress winning the ZPTC. The alliance has benefited the Telugu Desam rather than the CPI (M). Paradoxically, the left party CPI (ML) Liberation could win two MPTCs - one in Maredumilli and another in Rampachodavaram mandal. The CPI (M) was having high hopes on its victory in the agency basing on the month-long yatra taken up by it going nearer to the tribals, staying with them and sharing their problems. For the TDP leaders and cadre as well, it is a disappointment. It has to content itself with the three ZPTCs -Y. Ramavaram, Gangavaram and Rajavommangi. The election outcome indicates that the TDP cadre did not support their ally CPI (M) and the voting pattern for ZPTCs prove beyond doubt there was clear-cut cross voting.

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