Independent candidates receiving close to 2000 votes made a dent into the vote bank of TRS this time also. M Srisalam Yadav who contested on behalf of Samaikyandhra Parirakshana Samithi got 672 votes.
His election symbol was Roti Maker which looks similar to that of TRS’ car in the EVM.
Independent candidate E Galaiah whose election symbol was chappal, received 769 votes and one more candidate by name K Shiva Kumar of Yuga Thulasi party got 451 votes. His election symbol was Road Roller.
The TRS complained against Chappal and Road Roller symbols with the Election Commission but the poll panel snubbed TRS ‘request.
The Election Commission transferred the regional election commissioner who refused to accept the Road Roller symbol on the complaint of the BJP.
If in case the TRS loses the election it would be due to road roller and other independents again. The symbols of these candidates closely resemble the car symbol of the TRS.
The BJP strategy is giving a tough fight to the TRS, but Coutuppal has not given the required lead to the BJP. The Congress also did well to the extent possible with no goodwill remaining for the party, pushing it to the third position.
In the eighth round, the TRS is leading by 3285 votes.
