(NSS): The TRS candidate Moluguri Bikshapathi has won the Parakala Assembly seat in the by-polls held on June 12, defeating the nominees of YSRCP, TDP, BJP and the Congress, and clearly showing that the people of Telangana are in favour of separate State.
Parakala was the only constituency in Telangana region that went to polls in the present by-elections. TRS candidate won with a slender margin of 1562 votes over his nearest rival, the YSRCP candidate Konda Surekha. It was the resignation of Konda Surekha, who joined the YSRCP, that caused the by-election here. The candidates of both the national parties, the Congress and the BJP, have lost their deposits. The BJP contesting the seat was one of the reasons for the split in separatist vote and the reduced majority of the TRS candidate. It is said that the allotment of auto symbol to an independent candidate in the fray, was also a reason for the reduced majority of the TRS, as people confused between the car and the auto. The candidate with auto symbol polled over 5,000 votes.
There was great suspense over the outcome, as the counting of votes was on. The TRS was leading with a sizeable majority till the end of the 14th round, but counting in the next four rounds resulted in a nerve-raking suspense, as Konda Surekha got more votes in Geesukonda mandal, thus reducing the majority of TRS candidate. Finally, the TRS nominee won the seat with the majority in Sangem mandal.
