CM directs Legislators in person: MLC polls

For the first time in recent history, the Legislative Council Elections to ten seats on Thursday assumed importance with the Chief Minister himself taking it seriously and wooing his ranks to cast their votes in favour of the party candidates.

Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy personally wooed and instructed his party MLAs as well as the 24 known loyalists of former Kadapa MP YS Jaganmohan Reddy.

The 24 Legislators had earlier in the day resented the way in which their leader was cornered on the Floor of the House.

The Council elections took a quite interesting turn in view of 'competition' set up between the rivals - Congress and the TDP. The Government Whip was issued for a second time to ensure voting as scheduled by the ruling party members.The elections, which took place in the Committee Hall, began with Minister Satrucharla Vijaya Rama Raju casting his vote first.

The Chief Minister himself was seen introducing the contestants to the MIM, PRP and ruling party Members and seeking first preferential vote for the candidates.

The TDP also followed the exercise of passing the Whip to its Members to ensure the polling as stipulated.

Twelve candidates, five of ruling Congress, three of Telugu Desam Party and one each of PRP, MIM, TRS and CPI are in the fray for the 10 seats. While Congress has supported the PRP and MIM candidates, TDP supported CPI nominee.