The TRS candidates Palla Rajeshwar Reddy and Vani Devi Surabhi are leading in the two MLC seats but we cannot say that they would win the election.
So far they did not get the required number of seats in the first preference votes. Now the second preference votes are being counted.
It might easily take another 24 hours for the final declaration of results. If the second preference vote goes against the ruling party there is every chance that the TRS might lose the election here in Telangana.
The ruling TRS leaders are sitting tight and keeping their fingers crossed as to how the result would pan out. Political observers say that since the second preference votes are usually against the ruling party’s candidate, even though in both constituencies they are ahead of others and yet way below the magic 50 percent mark, the verdict could go either way.
The declaration of the result would take time as large-sized ballot papers and jumbo ballot boxes were used for polling. Also, the counting staff have to record the preferences of all voters.
It is a see-saw battle for the main contenders of the two graduates MLC seats as the counting of votes continues painfully slowly.
As the rule of election is by proportional representation, it is not clear as to who will have the last laugh.If no one gets the first preference votes of more than 50 per cent of the total votes polled, the second preferences will have to be counted.
