CPI proves mettle in maiden election to Kothagudem municipal corporation, wins 22 of 60 divisions

BHADRADRI KOTHAGUDEM

The CPI proved its mettle in its traditional stronghold of Kothagudem by winning 22 of the total 60 divisions of Kothagudem Municipal Corporation (KMC).

The election mandate has thrown up a hung council with the ruling Congress party also winning 22 divisions in the KMC. The BRS won eight divisions, and the CPI (M) and BJP secured one division each while six divisions went to Independent candidates.

The keenly fought electoral battle for Kothagudem in the heart of the State’s coal belt saw a high-voltage campaign by the main political parties, including the Congress and the CPI, both the constituent parties of INDIA Bloc, contesting the KMC election separately.

The CPI’s election campaign was led by party State secretary and Kothagudem MLA Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao.

The CPI had left no stone unturned in its efforts to garner the support of voters by mainly highlighting its mass movements to espouse the cause of working class, including Singareni workers, and other toiling masses in the industrial town.

Kothagudem was upgraded into a Municipal Corporation by the State government last year. The Kothagudem and Palvancha municipal bodies along with a few gram panchayats in their vicinity were merged to form the new municipal corporation.

The just concluded maiden election to the corporation witnessed a keenly-fought contest with all main political parties spearheading high-decibel electioneering.

With the election results throwing up a hung council, main Opposition BRS, with eight divisions in its kitty, extended its support to the CPI to bag the Mayor’s post and govern the KMC.