TRS retains 44th Division of GWMC

Warangal: The ruling TRS coasted to a comfortable 835-vote victory in the by-election held to the 44th Division of the Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation (GWMC), thus retaining the seat. The TRS nominee Anisetty Saritha emerged victorious in a head-to-head contest against the Bharatiya Janata Party’s candidate Kolanu Santhosh Reddy. It may be mentioned here that the by-poll was necessitated due to the death of sitting TRS corporator Anisetty Murali, who was murdered by his rivals on July 13, 2017. 

While the Congress didn’t field its candidate at the behest of ruling party, which fielded Murali’s widow Saritha, the BJP nominated Santhosh Reddy forcing the by-poll on January 9. The counting that began at 8 am at the indoor stadium of the GWMC didn’t take more than half-an-hour to announce the winner.

Saritha, who got 3,016 votes out of a total 5,242, easily trounced Santhosh Reddy by a margin of 835 votes. While Santhosh Reddy got 2,181 votes, NOTA (None of the Above) accounted 45 votes. Reacting over the victory, Warangal West MLA D Vinay Bhaskar told The Hans India: “The victory indicates people’s faith in KCR’s governance. With funds flowing in constantly, Warangal to witness all round growth in the future.”

Mayor Nannapaneni Narender, Kakatiya Urban Development Authority Chairman Marri Yadava Reddy and Deputy Mayor Sirajuddin were among others who greeted Saritha. Meanwhile, the TRS cadres erupted in joy after they learnt the by-poll win.