Confusing ‘Car’: TRS Losing It Again!

The counting for Munugode by-election is going neck-to-neck. Though the TRS party is maintaining a decent lead of over 2000 votes after the sixth round of counting, the tables can change any time as the counting progresses. But yet again TRS suffered loss of votes in symbols confusion.

After the fifth round of counting, the Election Commission released the data and it showed independent candidates receiving close to 2000 votes. Maramoni 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 Erpula 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. Shockingly the Election Commission transferred the regional election commissioner who refused to accept the Road Roller symbol.

If the close to 2000 votes have gone in favour of TRS, the ruling party would have received a healthy lead of 4000 votes at the end of sixth round.