Telangana election results 2018: Khammam, the only silver lining in Kutami horizon

HYDERABAD: The KCR and pro-Telangana factors decimated the Congress-led Praja Kutami in almost every district except undivided Khammam district, where the Congress-TDP-CPI-TJS alliance (Praja Kutami) won nine of the 10 assembly segments. The only silver lining for the Praja Kutami was the victory of its candidates from all the constituencies, except for one seat in the districts of Khammam and Bhadradri-Kothagudem (earlier undivided district of Khammam).
While TDP won from two constituencies, Congress candidates emerged victorious from seven assembly segments. Puvvada Ajay of TRS was the lone winner for the pink party from Khammam assembly segment.

While the Congress-TDP/Naidu factor is believed to have had a negative impact on voters elsewhere in Telangana, it seems to have worked in favour of the Praja Kutami in undivided Khammam district. While Hari Priya of Congress won from Illandu, K Upender Reddy of Congress defeated TRS minister Tummala Nageswara Rao from Palair.

Congress campaign committee chairman Bhatti Vikramarka emerged victorious from Madhira segment and Vanama Venkateshwara Rao, also of Congress, won from Kothagudem. Congress party's R Kantha Rao won from Pinapaka and P Veeraiah from Bhadrachalam.

Interestingly, of the total 21 seats bagged by the Praja Kutami in Telangana, as many as 10 are reserved constituencies. The Congress attributed it to the leadership development programme taken up by the party in 31 reserved constituencies of Telangana.