Andhra Pradesh - Warangal   

Congress, Telugu Desam neck-and-neck in Warangal

Staff Reporter

Killing of Congress rebel in Gudur turns voters towards TDP

WARANGAL: The Congress and TDP are neck-and-neck in the district with both headed for the magic figure of 26 ZPTCs along with their allies.

When reports came in at around 9 p.m., Congress was leading in 22 and its partner TRS in three seats. The TDP was leading in 23 and its alliance partner CPI (M) in one.

Confusion prevails over two seats -- Kodakandla and Wardhannapet -- as parties are demanding recounting.

TDP wave

There was a silent TDP wave in the district, which the Congress could not guess. Groupism in the Congress, delay in forging an alliance with the TRS and rebels in both parties played havoc.

The killing of a Congress rebel in Gudur mandal turned voters away from the party and all the seats went in favour of TDP.

Rebellion

The dissent within the TRS and open rebellion by MLAs only gave an edge to TDP as voters were confused over the future of the TRS. The Congress could not consolidate its base or turn the TRS cadre in its favour.

TDP leaders in Wardhannpet, Station Ghanpur and Narasampet Assembly Constituencies won back their traditional voters and a majority of ZPTC seats were won by the party easily.

Congress strength

The Congress could prove its might absolutely in Dornakal Assembly constituency being represented by Social Welfare Minister D.S. Redya Naik. In Jangaon constituency represented by Major Irrigation Minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah, the party could win some seats followed by a majority of seats in Hanamkonda, Shayampet and Chennur constituencies.

Two Ministers, three MLAs and a host of other leaders left no stone unturned to gain majority, but their effort appears to be in vain.

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Congress, Telugu Desam neck-and-neck in Warangal

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