Firebrand Renuka left behind as Nama leads in Khammam
TRS leader Nama Nageswara Rao taking the blessings of his mother after he won the Khammam Parliamentary seat, on Thursday
TRS cadres celebrating Nama’s victory at the latter’s residence in Khammam
Khammam: Telangana Rashtra Samithi's Nama Nageswara Rao won the the Khammam Parliamentary seat by defeating his rival Congress candidate Renuka Chowdhury by a majority of 1,66,429 votes. Though Nama joined the TRS ahead of Lok Sabha polls, all the senior leaders of the party including Puvvada Ajay Kumar, Tummala Nageswara Rao and former MP Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy have kept aside their differences and worked for Nama's victory.
On Thursday, all the contesting candidates after offering special prayers to the God, reached the counting centre before 8 am. The postal ballot count was started at 8 am. Of the total 830 postal ballot votes polled, Congress candidate Renuka Chowdhury secured a majority of 106 votes over Nama. However, the excitement of Congress cadre couldn't last long as the counting of votes in EVMs began.
Nama's account of victory opened in the first round of EVM count with the TRS leader securing 31,329 votes of the total 61,409 votes polled. Renuka secured 10,907 votes in the first round. In the next consecutive rounds, Nama showed a clear majority. However, at a point in the counting, Nama lead fell to 2,000 votes. But, later, it regained momentum.
Despite Nama's lead in all the rounds, the TRS cadre continued to remain anxious until the last round of counting. By the end of the 24th round i.e., final round, Nama secured 5,63,625 votes and Renuka 3,97,196 votes of the total 11,38,130 votes polled. BJP candidate Devaki Vasudev Rao secured 20,327 votes and CPI (M) candidate Venkat secured 56,506 votes.
Finally Nama Nageswara Rao won the Khammam Parliamentary seat with a margin of 1,66,429 votes over his rival candidate Renuka Chowdhury. The victory was officially announced by the authorities at 5 pm.
With Nama's win, TRS cadres and leaders of erstwhile Khammam district were seen jubilant. This is the first time in the history that the TRS-backed candidate won the Khammam Parliament constituency, which was typically the stronghold of Communist parties. The declaration of victory was followed by a pompous celebration by the TRS cadre in Khammam. Meanwhile, Nama expressed his happiness over the victory and thanked those who voted for him.
Former Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, MLA Puvvada Ajay Kumar and MP Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy congratulated Nama Nageswara Rao for his win.
