TRS completes grand sweep, TD loses all deposits, Congress in 4 seats

(Courtesy : http://www.deccanchronicle.com/hyderabad/trs-completes-grand-sweep-td-loses-all-deposits-congress-4-seats-413)

It was a landslide victory for the Telangana Rashtra Samiti candidates in 11 out of 12 Assembly constituencies that went for by-polls in the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh on July 27. The 12th seat, Nizamabad-Urban, went to the TRS' ally, the BJP.

By early morning on Saturday when the results were announced at the end of a lengthy counting process that began on Friday, some of the TRS victors set new records in the state's electoral history.

For the first time in its political history, the Telugu Desam had to forfeit deposits in all the 12 Assembly segments while ruling Congress met with the same fate in four constituencies.

In Siddipet in Medak district, T. Harish Rao, nephew of TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao, set a new record by winning the by-election with a margin of 95,858 votes against his Congress rival Srinivas Goud. The Congress as well as the TDP, which stood third here, lost the deposits.

Harish Rao won from Siddipet for fourth consecutive time. his victory margin is said to be by far the largest margin ever recorded in the Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh.

Interestingly, the Medak district administration, led by collector S. Suresh Kumar, also set a record by completing the counting process in just over 90 minutes.

TRS candidate Gaddam Aravinda Reddy retained his Mancherial seat in Adilabad district with a record margin of 78,047 votes as against 13,827 he got in 2009.

Reddy's victory margin is the second largest after Harish Rao's in the bypolls. The Congress lost its deposit in Mancherial as well.

Koppula Easwar, another notable TRS candidate, improved his victory margin from modest 1,484 votes in 2009 to a staggering 58,891 to bag the Dharmapuri seat in Karimnagar district.

TRS president K. Chandrasekhar Rao's son K. Taraka Rama Rao secured a handsome margin of 44,642 votes in the by-election from Sircilla.

It is a sweet victory for Rama Rao this time in more ways than one as he scraped through with a margin of just 173 votes against the TRS rebel candidate K.K. Mahender Reddy in his first electoral battle in 2009.

Mahender Reddy was the Congress' official nominee this time but lost his deposit following the bitter defeat.

TRS' Dasyam Vinay Bhaskar saw his victory margin in Warangal West constituency swell ten-fold from 6,684 last year to 67,524 this time.

Similarly, the victory margins of E. Rajender and K. Vidyasagar Rao have more than tripled in Huzurabad and Korutla Assembly segments as compared to the 2009 general elections.

Rajender secured a majority of 55,360 votes this time compared to 15,035 while Vidyasagar Rao got 56,525 now as against 15,545 in 2009.

The Vemulawada (Karimnagar district) TRS nominee Chennamaneni Ramesh too put up an impressive show, romping home with a margin of 50,451 votes this time.

As the TD candidate in 2009, Ramesh had managed to get a majority of only 1,821 votes. Upon quitting his MLA seat on the statehood issue in February this year, Ramesh walked out of the TD and joined the TRS.

An intervention by the High Court, by-election to this seat was conducted along with other segments, paved the way for Ramesh's re-election.

In Chennur (SC) in Adilabad district, TRS candidate N. Odelu won by a margin of 44,284 votes — almost four times higher than the margin (11,549) he secured in 2009.

The TRS nominee Kaveti Sammaiah too doubled his margin from 7,414 in 2009 to 15,229 now. He beat Congress' ex-MP Indrakaran Reddy who aspired to become a Cabinet minister by winning the by-election.

Another TRS candidate. E. Ravinder Reddy, was, however, not so fortunate as he could improve his victory margin only by a few hundred votes this time. Compared to the 36,859-vote margin he got in 2009, Rajender managed to take it up only to 37,535 in this time.

The results of the five constituencies came late, as ballot papers were used for polling as a number of candidates exceeded the maximum limit of 64 for an EVM.

For Y. Lakshminarayana, the lone BJP winner in the by-elections who trounced Pradesh Congress Committee president D. Srinivas in Nizamabad Urban, it was an improvement of only 966 votes in the victory margin. In 2009, Lakshminarayana won by a margin of 11,015 votes and this time by 11,981 votes.

The by-polls were necessitated as the sitting MLAs - 10 from TRS and one each from TD and BJP - had quit their post in support of separate Telangana demand.

Telangana by-poll results trigger rumblings in Congress, TDP

(Courtesy : http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/politics/telangana-by-poll-results-trigger-rumblings-in-congress-tdp_100404613.html)

The crushing defeat of the ruling Congress party and the main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in the Telangana by-elections has triggered rumblings within the two parties over the Telangana statehood issue.
Leaders of the Congress from Telangana blamed their counterparts in other regions of Andhra Pradesh for the loss, while TDP leaders from Telangana advised those opposing separate statehood to reconsider their stand.

Both Congress and TDP drew a blank in the by-elections to 12 assembly seats caused by the resignations over the Telangana issue.

TDP lost the lone seat it was holding while Congress candidates, including party’s state unit chief D. Srinivas had to bite the dust.

Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, who is from outside Telangana, said he respects the people’s verdict. Party general secretary and state incharge M. Veerappa Moily said in New Delhi that the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) won due to “local factors”.

Congress leaders from Telangana lashed out at party leaders belonging to Andhra and Rayalaseema regions for opposing the demand for a separate Telangana state.

Senior Congress leader from Telangana and former minister G. Venkatswamy blamed leaders from Andhra for the party’s defeat.

Another leader from the region T. Jeevan Reddy termed the poll results an “eye opener” for those opposing the separate Telangana demand.

Congress legislator Shankar Rao said he was happy over the election results as people, through their verdict, paid tributes to 600 “martyrs” of the Telangana movement. He said the results had increased the responsibility of the Congress party to carve out a separate Telangana.

TDP’s senior leader in Telangana N. Janardhan Reddy wanted his party leaders from other regions to reconsider their opposition to a separate state.

It may be recalled that strong protests by Congress and TDP leaders from Andhra and Rayalaseema regions had forced the central government to go back on its announcement last year to start the process for formation of Telangana state.

TRS scores historic victory in Telangana by-polls

(Courtesy : http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/politics/trs-scores-historic-victory-in-telangana-by-polls_100404783.html)

The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), which won all 11 seats it contested in the Telangana by-elections, made history with its massive victory margins.
Riding on the popular Telangana sentiment, the party not only retained all 10 seats it won in the 2009 elections but also wrested one from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP).

TRS had not fielded its candidate in Nizamabad Urban where BJP’s A. Lakshminarayana once again defeated state Congress chief D. Srinivas.

Its candidates, who won last elections with a few hundreds votes, retained the seats by a bumper majority. The victory margin in most of the constituencies was anywhere between 60,000 to 95,000.

Political pundits say a candidate polling 70 to 85 percent of votes in assembly elections is unprecedented. The TRS performance reminds one of the massive victory of the Telangana Praja Samiti (TPS) in the 1971 Lok Sabha elections.

Fighting on the similar slogan, TPS had bagged 10 out of 14 seats it contested in Telangana. But even the TPS had polled 50 to 65 percent of votes.

The performance of TRS this time has been so strong that the ruling Congress finished a poor second while TDP candidates lost security deposit as they failed to get the minimum of one-sixth of the total votes polled in their respective constituencies.

TRS leader T. Harish Rao registered a record victory with a margin of 95,858 votes in Siddipet, polling 82 percent of votes. His nearest rival of the Congress could get only 12,921. Both Congress and TDP forfeited their deposits.

The second highest margin of victory for TRS was in Huzurabad where its former leader in assembly E. Rajender retained the seat with a majority of 79,227 votes. The margin was 78,047 in Manchiryal constituency.

Since ballot papers were used for Tuesday’s polling in five constituencies, the results were announced after Friday midnight.

TRS chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao’s son K. Tarakarama Rao, who won last election with a margin of 171 in Sircilla, this time defeated his rival by 67,997 votes.

In Warangal West, D. Vinaybhaskar was re-elected with a majority of 67,809 votes. Former minister and Congress leader Mohammed Ali Shabbir was defeated in Yellareddy by TRS candidate A. Ravinder Reddy by 37,535 votes.

TRS also retained Korutla seat with a victory margin of 56,525 votes.

The Congress could put up some face-saving performance only in Nizamabad where the BJP candidate’s victory margin was only 11,981 votes. It also gave a good fight to TRS in Sirpur.

In its worst ever performance, TDP lost security deposits in all constituencies.

The by-elections were necessitated by the resignation of all 10 legislators of the TRS and one each of the BJP and the TDP on the issue of a separate Telangana state in February.

Record win for Harish Rao

(Courtesy : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Record-win-for-Harish-Rao/articleshow/6239112.cms)

He did not speak much. But his humungous vote margin said it all. Tenneeru Harish Rao, who recorded a massive victory of 95,858 votes, flashed the victory sign at Siddipet with a smug expression on his face while supporters around him raised slogans of "Jai ho Telangana."

As his supporters shouted slogans of "Telangana ki addu voste, addamga narikestham (Nobody dare cross our path to Telangana)" and savoured his stupendous victory, Harish Rao just walked away. For starters, Harish has dethroned late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's record win of 68,681 votes from Pulivendula in 2009 polls by overtaking it by nearly 30,000 votes. He himself stood a close second behind YSR with 64,667 vote majority in 2009.

While he polled 1,08,779 votes, his nearest Congress rival T Srinivas Goud received 11,610 votes. TDP's Babu Mohan was thrashed as he got a paltry 5,258 votes.

Revelling in the victory, Harish said TRS stood out as the true representative of Telangana cause. "With this win, we will take the T-vadam (sentiment) forward," he said. He said the Congress line that it would onlydeliver the separate state had no takers. "The Congress must introspect as people are fed up with its false promises," he observed.

A close aide of the firebrand leader, who is perceived as a threat to the likes of TRS chief KCR's son K Tarakarama Rao, said the upsurge of people's emotions had triggered the results in favour of TRS. "Whether it's a doctor, government official, tailor or weaver, they all voted for our Harish anna and T-cause. This victory signals the dawn of a new world," he claimed.

Analysts said the way Harish rallied the party and called on the families of those who died or committed suicide for T-cause was worth mentioning. "Even settlers in villages and towns voted for TRS as they perceive Telangana as their home. The sentiment has percolated among every strata of society," TRS leader Rajaiah Yadav told TOI.

Sources said the coming local body polls would certainly add to the consolidation of TRS in the region as the party used it as a launchpad to make inroads in the region eight years ago. And Harish sure has his task cut out.

TRS win a referendum on separate state

(Courtesy : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/TRS-win-a-referendum-on-separate-state-KCR/articleshow/6239116.cms)

Calling the sweeping victory of TRS candidates in the by elections as a victory of Telangana martyrs who died during the agitation for separate T state and four crore Telangana people, the TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao said that the party dedicates its victory to all those people who supported them in the byelections and thanked the JAC for playing a key role in the victory of the party candidates.

At a press conference on Friday evening, Rao said that the party leaders should not feel elated by the victory. It has put greater responsibility on them. The victory was a step forward in the direction of achieving a separate state, he said.

Referring to the defeat of Congress and TDP candidates, he said it was a slap on their face. They lost their deposits despite spending Rs 200 crore, he said. Rao also criticised TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu of indulging in 'screw driver' politics. KCR said he would now focus attention on strengthening the party organisation. Rao said the Centre should call for the Srikrishna committee report immediately and bifurcate the state respecting the verdict of the people before December 31. "It is nothing but a referendum. If they fail they will heavy price in future." Talking of the party's support to BJP in Nizamabad urban, he said it was a special case but in future we will fight all election on our own, he added.

He said the Telangana JAC, which has a strong presence in the region, played an active role in the victory of the TRS by mobilising the government employees, lawyers associations, minorities and student organisations to rally for the separate state cause and vote for the TRS on polling day.

The JAC fulfilled its promise of taking the responsibility of victory of MLAs who had resigned in February in protest against the constitution of Srikrishna Committee to study the contentious Telangana issue.

The joint action committee organised massive awareness programmes like bus yatras, padayatras and village-level meetings to educate people about the importance of ensuring the victory of MLAs who had resigned. In fact it is the victory of the JAC more than the TRS, claim JAC leaders.

More than 20 lakh students, 3 lakh government employees and one lakh advocates actively participated in the campaign during the bypolls, JAC official spokesperson Vittal told TOI. "JAC played a crucial role in the election by galvanising all telangana forces from grass root level.

Another JAC leader said that all out efforts were made in three assembly constituencies - Dharmapuri, Ellareddy and Sirpur from where TRS MLAs contested as there was strong anti feelings against the candidates as they allegedly ignored the people and failed to respond to their local problems and pleas since they got elected in 2009.

The JAC organised continuous meetings with local community leaders and telangana supporters and explained to them about the necessity to vote for them in view of the special circumstances.

TRS set for clean sweep in by-elections

(Courtesy : http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/andhra-pradesh/article541829.ece)

Riding high on a strong regional sentiment, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), and its lone electoral ally, the BJP, headed for a clean sweep of all the 12 seats in the Assembly by-elections on Friday and inflicted crushing defeats on the Congress and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP).

Results were officially declared in seven constituencies but, going by their surging majorities, TRS candidates are firmly on course to win the remaining five.

The BJP won the only seat it contested when Y. Lakshminarayana, justified his ‘giant-killer' sobriquet by defeating for the second consecutive time APCC president D. Srinivas from Nizamabad Urban by a comfortable margin of 11,983 votes. TDP candidate A. Narsa Reddy was routed polling just 1,793 votes.

Till late in the night, the election authorities could declare the results of only those seats where electronic voting machines (EVMs) were used. Counting in the rest was a painstaking process as the Election Commission was forced to use newspaper-sized ballot papers after the TRS fielded dozens of candidates as independents to express its opposition to EVMs.

Voters comprehensively rejected the TDP which failed to poll even one-sixth of the valid votes needed to retain the security deposit in at least seven constituencies whereas the Congress candidates lost their deposits in two places. Both parties tried to draw solace by saying that TRS candidates had merely retained the Assembly seats they won in May 2009. These MLAs had resigned in February this year to protest against the terms of reference of the Justice Srikrishna Committee constituted to hold consultations on the situation in Andhra Pradesh.

Chief Minister K. Rosaiah and TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu did not campaign in the by-elections, the latter on the plea that he was preoccupied with the more important issue of opposing the ‘illegal' Babli project built by Maharashtra. In contrast, TRS president K. Chandrasekhar Rao steadfastly focussed on electioneering without allowing himself to be distracted by the Babli row even though it threatens to adversely affect five districts in Telangana.

Telangana by-election results send out a warning to Congress

(Courtesy: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article542490.ece)

For the Congress, its problems in what is its strongest State, Andhra Pradesh, are only growing. On Friday, the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) swept the by-elections in the State's Telangana region, winning 11 of the 12 constituencies that were being contested, thereby strengthening the case for a separate Telangana and reminding the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre of the assurance that it had given on the issue, and then backtracked on.

Congress general secretary in-charge of Andhra Pradesh and Union Law Minister M. Veerappa Moily was very guarded in his response to the results of the by-elections, where the Congress has fared poorly: “These are the people who volunteered to resign [on the Telangana issue]. The people wave chosen to vote for them,” he told The Hindu, adding, “We put up a good fight.” Asked whether the results did not put pressure on the Central government to push for the creation of a separate Telangana State, Mr. Moily said, “The matter is before the Srikrishna Commission. Let the report come.”

But a senior party functionary admitted that these results “had strengthened the case for a separate Telangana” and that from now on, “there would be greater pressure on the Centre” to act on the assurance made by Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on December 9, 2009, when he had publicly declared the Centre's support for a new State. “We will now have to think of a new strategy,” he said.

What is worrying the Congress here, party sources said, was the fact that these results are a confirmation of the fact that it has lost the “goodwill” it had won in Telangana after the December 9 announcement: at that time, TRS supporters had celebrated the occasion, holding aloft Congress president Sonia Gandhi's portrait. The first signs of this loss of goodwill came when the Congress did a rethink on the issue, after the rest of the State exploded with party MP and former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajsekhara Reddy's son, Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, leading those opposed to the division of Andhra Pradesh. In a bid to check the violence across the State, the Centre quickly set up the Srikrishna Commission to “examine the situation in Andhra Pradesh with reference to the demand for a separate Telangana State as well as the demand for maintaining the present status of united Andhra Pradesh,” and asked it to submit its recommendations by December 31, 2010.

Congress MP Madhu Goud Yashki, whose constituency falls in the Telangana region, pointed out that the Bharatiya Janata Party's Lakshminarayana had retained the twelfth seat, defeating Congress State unit president D. Srinivas in Nizamabad urban segment, with the help of the TRS. “The TRS is our naturally ally,” Mr. Yashki said, adding, “and we need to reach out to them – we can't afford a BJP-TRS tie-up in Telangana.” Currently, the Congress holds 56 of the 119 assembly segments and 12 of the17 Lok Sabha seats in the Telangana region.

So, while the Congress was not holding any of the seats that went to the polls on July 27, the results are a reminder of how much the party stands to lose if it does not get its Telangana strategy right before the next elections. The by-elections for 12 Assembly seats were called after 10 TRS MLAs and one MLA each of the Opposition BJP and the regional Telugu Desam Party resigned to register their demand for a separate State of Telangana earlier this year.