ZP polls: YSRC has the last laugh

TDP rebel Edara wins chairman post with YSRC support

YSRC MLA P. Davidraju hugs TDP rebel E. Haribabu on his election as Zilla Parishad chairman after the suspense-filled election in Ongole on Sunday. Photo: Kommuri Srinivas

In a game of political one-upmanship, TDP rebel Edara Haribabu won Prakasam Zilla Parishad Chairman's post as an independent supported by the YSR Congress ZPTC members who managed to get the party district convenor and Pullacheruvu ZPTC member Nukasani Balaji as Vice-chairman in the bargain.

On a day of dramatic developments on Sunday, YSRC ZPTC member from Markapur J. Venkata Ranga Reddy was arrested and remanded in 14 days judicial custody, reducing the strength of the YSRC, which won 31 ZPTCs in the direct elections to 27 for the suspense-filled indirect polls. The TDP’s strength went up to 28 after three YSRC ZPTC members had crossed over to the ruling party.

The TDP secured election of Sk Abdul Ahmad and Sk Baaji as co-opted members in the polls held amid tight security. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 had been clamped in and around ZP premises in view of the violent incidents witnessed on July 5.

The TDP members’ joy remained short-lived as its candidate Mr Haribabu entered the fray for the chairman’s post as an independent against the official nominee M. Ravindra with the backing of the YSRC. Mr. Haribabu won by a majority of a single vote securing 28 votes against 27 by the TDP’s official nominee.

The election of Mr. Balaji was no different as he contested as an independent candidate and managed 28 votes against the 27 secured by the TDP nominee P. Koteswaramma.

Declaring the duo as elected, Prakasam Collector and Election Officer G.S.R.K.R. Vijaykumar said 30 YSRC members violated the party whip as also Mr. Haribabu.

While 27 YSRC members backed Mr. Haribabu and Mr. Balaji who contested as independents, three of the YSRC supported TDP nominees for the post of Chairperson and vice-chairperson.

The focus is now on the steps that would be initiated by the leaderships of the TDP and the YSRC on the erring members. If the YSRC presses for disqualification of the three members who backed the TDP candidates, its strength will come down to 28 ZPTC members. If the TDP presses for Mr Haribabu's disqualification, its strength will be reduced to 24, throwing open prospects for another round of poll.

Sunday’s elections, which were video-graphed, were held in the presence of State Election Commission observer and Information Commissioner M. Dana Kishore.