Keralam

23 Mar 2011

Congress' defeat, particularly in Kadapa, comes as a shock to state Agriculture Minister Y S Vivekananda Reddy as he was supposed to be wielding more clout than his nephew Jagan.In fact, the biennial election in Kadapa was for the Council seat Viveka would be vacating at the end of the month.He is now supposed to be the Congress candidate for the by-election from Pulivendula Assembly constituency, due shortly.Apart from two other ministers from the district, the minister in-charge for Kadapa had made tireless efforts to defeat Jagan's nominee.There were also allegations that TDP did not field its candidate in Kadapa as per a tacit understanding with the Congress to trounce Jagan.
The consolation for Congress came in Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore and Srikakulam districts, where it won the two seats previously held by independents.Jagan, however, suffered a blow in Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore district where his group candidate was defeated by Congress. Here it turned out to be a fight between the 'Aanam brothers' and the 'Mekapati brothers', both of Congress, though the latter has been sailing with Jagan now.In all, elections were held on the for nine seats in eight districts on March 21 and counting of votes was taken up this morning.