Ex-officio Votes Crucial for Parties in Hung Adilabad Municipalities

Adilabad: The ex-officio votes of local MLAs, MPs and MLCs are expected to play a decisive role in seven municipalities in the erstwhile Adilabad district where no party has secured a clear majority.

Presidential elections will be held on the afternoon of February 16, and parties must demonstrate majority support among eligible ex-officio members as well as elected ward councillors.

The municipalities facing the decision to hang are Adilabad, Asifabad, Kagaznagar, Khanapur, Bhainsa, Kyathanpalli and Bellampalli. The Congress won a clear majority in Nirmal, Chennur and Luxettipet municipalities.

MLA Vedma Bojju registered her vote in Khanapur, Gaddam Vinod in Bellampalli, minister Gaddam Vivek and Peddapalli MP Gaddam Vamsi in Kyathanpalli, Palvai Harish Babu and MLC Dande Vittal in Kagaznagar and Ramarao Patel in Bhainsa. MLA Payal Shankar and MP Godam Nagesh were registered in Adilabad municipality. Reports indicate that Godam Nagesh has sought permission from the authorities to shift his ex officio vote from Adilabad to Bhainsa. The State Election Commission has not yet made a decision on the request.

Meanwhile, former MLA Koneru Konappa has filed a complaint with the State Election Commission and district collector alleging that Dande Vittal’s name was not included in the municipal voter list. District officials are reviewing the complaint.