News: Congress Leadesr demand recounting in Uravakonda

ANANTAPUR: Congress party leaders and workers staged a protest at the collectorate here on Sunday demanding recounting in Uravakonda assembly segment blaming that the returning officer (RO) had hastily issued the winning declaration for TDP candidate P Kesav. Kesav won by a thin 242 votes against his Congress rival Y Visweswar Reddy. Visweswar along with Anantapur MP-elect A Venkatrami Reddy and other leaders staged a dharna demanding recounting. They alleged that the RO had colluded with the TDP candidate and issued the declaration. In the close finish, Kesav got 64,741 votes while Visweswar secured 64,499 votes and PRP candidate got 8255 votes. Kesav defeated Visweswar Reddy by a small margin of 242 votes. "We have several doubts on the counting process and urged for recounting on Saturday but the RO urgently issued the winning declaration form to the TDP candidate," Visweswar alleged. Meanwhile, collector Anil Kumar said he would bring the matter to the notice of the Election Commission.