Bypoll: Huzurabad count today; high stakes for TRS, BJP

HYDERABAD: It will be an end to five months of political slugfest on Tuesday, with the victor of Huzurabad bypoll finally known. The counting of votes will begin at 8 am at SRR College in Karimnagar town and the fate of major parties in the high-stakes bypoll is likely to be decided by 11 am.
Though exit polls have indicated an edge to BJP candidate and former TRS minister Eatala Rajender over TRS’ Gellu Srinivas Yadav in the bypoll held on October 30, the ruling party is hopeful of coasting to a victory on the back of its welfare schemes and sops announced during the bitter campaign. Congress’ young face Balmoor Venkat is projected by exit polls to be an also-ran, with the grand old party likely to lose its vote share massively.
The election was necessitated after TRS sacked Eatala Rajender from cabinet over land grabbing allegations.
‘Lapses in transportation of VVPATs to counting centre’
The campaign cacophony was tuned for voters on a single note: To stick with their six-time MLA Eatala, now out of TRS, or sail with TRS to give a stamp of approval to KCR’s sops and promises. Both TRS and BJP deployed senior leaders, leaving no stone unturned for a win in this grudge match.
The voters too didn’t disappoint at the end of the high-voltage campaign, coming out in droves for a record turnout of 86.6%.
There were incidents of skirmishes during voting, but in all, poll authorities declared polling to be peaceful. The BJP had alleged there were lapses in transportation of VVPATs from constituency to counting centre in Karimnagar and a probe was ordered by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The ECI has made elaborate arrangements for counting. There will be 22 rounds of counting on 14 tables for 306 polling booths. Each round is expected to take about 30 minutes. “Huzurabad mandal will be taken up initially, followed by Veenavanka, Jammikunta, Ellanthakunta and Kamalapur,” a senior Karimnagar official said. The ECI has imposed Section 144 at counting centres and banned victory rallies after the result. Apart from Eatala, Gellu Srinavas and Venkat, 27 Independent candidates are in the fray.
Ahead of polling, TRS objected to allotment of symbols similar to its car to avoid a repeat of voter confusion as it allegedly happened in Dubbak bypoll. If Independents gain votes due to confusion, it may tilt scales again in a close contest.