TDP gets one unexpected vote

Today's Rajya Sabha elections witnessed several interesting developments today. Many political leaders got to know their real supporters and opponents during the course of the day.

While some MLAs voted in a different way, 28 MLAs failed to exercise their right to vote. BJP (4), YSRCP (23) and CPM (1) stayed away from the polls.

Congress MLA Daggubati Venkateswara Rao cast his rejection vote to protest against the state bifurcation. He openly announced that he will not support any of the candidates. Mangalagiri MLA Kamdru Kamala raised eyebrows when she dropped a blank paper into the ballot box.

As expected, three TDP rebel candidates — Gangula Kamalakar, Hanmanth Shinde and Harishwar Reddy backed TRS candidate K Kesava Rao. But the most unexpected one was from TDP Nuziveedu MLA Chinnam Ramakotaiah who declared that he would not contest on a TDP ticket in 2014 elections, and voted for TDP.

With his support for his own party member, Ramakotaiah has put the speculations of him joining YSRCP to rest.