TDP candidate Pogiri Butchibabu wins Srikakulam ZPTC; tension at counting center
YRSC activists immediately demanded recounting of votes which were strongly opposed by the TD leaders led by former MLA Kalamata Mohana Rao. There were heated arguments between the two parties and they almost came to blows.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 19 Nov 2021 2:00 AM GMT
Visakhapatnam: Tense moments prevailed at Hiramanadalam ZPTC counting center in Srikakulam district on Thursday when TDP candidate Pogiri Butchibabu defeated ruling YRSC candidate Reddy Sravan by a margin of 59 votes.
YRSC activists immediately demanded recounting of votes which were strongly opposed by the TD leaders led by former MLA Kalamata Mohana Rao. There were heated arguments between the two parties and they almost came to blows.
Reddy Sravan is son of high profile Patapatnam MLA of Srikakulam district.
Butchibabu polled 7906 votes and Sravan Reddy 7847. The segment has a total of 33,113 votes. About 17,073 voters had cast their votes.
Police tried to pacify both the groups but failed. Giving in to the pressure of YSRC local leaders, the returning officer allowed recounting of invalid votes.
After recounting, the returning officer declared Butchibabu's victory.
Poll to Gram Panchayat was held in February this year but canceled after Balapa Narayana Rao of TD died of Covid-19.
