The Telugu Desam Party on Tuesday retained the Nandigama (SC) Assembly seat in by-election held on September 13.
TDP candidate Tangirala Sowmya emerged victorious with a majority of 74,827 votes. The Congress, which had lost deposit in the general elections, improved its performance with its candidate Bodapati Babu Rao securing 24,921 votes.
Speaking to reporters, Ms. Sowmya said: “I expected a good majority but not such a huge majority.”
The MLA-elect attributed the victory to her father Tangirala Prabhakar, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and party leaders, who worked for her victory. “I will follow the footprints of my father and develop the constituency.” The TDP cadres celebrated her victory at the party office here by bursting crackers.
Irrigation Minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao said the results reflect the people’s faith in the TDP.
Ms. Sowmya is the fourth woman to be elected in the by-elections in Krishna district.
Vasireddi Rajyalakshmamma had won from Jaggaiahpeta constituency in 1974, G. Dhanusuryavathi got elected from Nidumolu SC constituency in 1979, while Anne Vijayalakshmi was elected in the 2001 by-poll from Uyyuru.
While over 58 women entered the fray in the last six decades in Krishna district, 11 were elected as MLAs so far. Ms. Sowmya is the 12 woman to be elected as MLA.
