TRS loses Nalgonda MLC poll to Rajgopal Reddy

The ruling TRS suffered a major setback in the MLC elections in Nalgonda district where Congress party's Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy, former MP, won the election by a majority of 156 votes over his ruling party rival, Chinnapa Reddy. In the crucial election, Rajgopal Reddy maintained his lead right from the start of the counting of votes. Rajgopal Reddy's brother and former minister, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, had predicted that his party would win the election. Supporting his brother's candidature, he challenged that he would quit politics if Rajgopal Reddy would lose the poll. Venkat Reddy's assertion was vindicated as the counting of votes began this morning. Rajgopal Reddy maintained the lead till the end. In the event, Rajgopal polled 616 votes against Chinnapa Reddy's 458. The opposition parties have made severe charges against the ruling TRS in the MLC elections in Telangana, including abduction of voters.