Heavy infighting within the Congress and horse trading by major political parties turned the elections to nine Legislative Council seats from the Local Areas Constituencies on Monday into an interesting contest. What is being keenly watched by political parties is whether the Congress can retain and improve its present six seats and the TDP can go beyond its lone seat.

Of the 10 seats rendered vacant on account of retirement, six were held by the Congress, two by independents and one each by the TDP and the MIM. In an informal chat with reporters, Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy said the Congress would improve its tally from six. In Anantapur district, supporters of former Minister J. C. Diwakar Reddy, numbering around 60 have reportedly flouted party discipline by voting in favour of the rival TDP.

Published Date : Tuesday, 22/3/2011 3:01 PM IST