YSR Congress party has decided to stay away from bye-elections for Tirupati Assembly seat following the tradition of leaving the seat to the family member of the deceased. Bye-elections necessitated with the sudden death of TDP MLA Venkata Ramana. TDP has allotted the seat to his widow Sugunamma and appealed the Congress and YSR Congress parties to let its candidate for unanimously election. YSR Congress party leader Bhoomana Karunakar Reddy said his party has agreed to TDP’s appeal and decided to stay away from the bye-elections.

 

However, Congress party has not taken any decision yet. It contested in the last two bye-elections ignoring the sentiment and tradition but was defeated in both elections. So, it also may stay away from these bye-elections. If so, TDP candidate Sugunamma’s victory may win the elections un-opposed.