Congress bags two more ZPS and its ally TRS one

Hyderabad, July 15 (UNI) The Congress today heaved a sigh of relief as TRS rebel MLA Dugyala Srinivasa Rao heeded the advise of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and allowed the Congress candidate to be elected as the Chairman of the Warangal Zilla Praja Parishat, as per the agreement reached between the two parties.

Mr Rao, who is one of the powerful dissidents inside the TRS party had threatened that his followers among the ZPTC members would cross vote, defying the party whip.

He said Dr Reddy had called him up six times during the day and the PCC chief Dr Keshava Rao thrice.

He said he had decided to honour the advise of the Chief Minister and allow the Congress candidate to get elected.

While Congress bagged the Warangal and Karimnagar ZPs, the TRS won the Nizamabad ZP as per the agreement reached between the two parties.

The elections to the three ZPs were countermanded as both the Congress and the TRS members had abstained from the general body meetings following differences. The district collectors deferred the elections on the advise of the State Election Commission (SEC), as there was no quorum. The SEC slated the elections for today.

PCC Chief K Keshava Rao had a meeting with TRS top leader A Narendra and an agreement was reached that Congress should get Warangal and Karimnagar ZPs and the TRS the Nizamabad. However, TRS dissident MLA Dugyala Srinivasa Rao gave both parties some tense moments.

Congress candidate Ms Lakawat Dhanavanti was elected Chairperson and Muluguri Bhikshapati of the TRS was elected the vice chairman of Warangal ZP.

In Karimnagar, Congress candidate Arepalli Mohan was elected the Chairman and TRS candidate Ravinder Goud the Vice Chairman.

In Nizamabad, TRS candidate Gadari Anita was elected Chairperson while Taher Bin Hamdan of the Congress was elected vice chairperson.

Of the 22 ZPs for which elections were held, Congress won 19, TDP 2 and TRS 1.

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