Khammam: This district withstood the TRS tsunami which caused havoc in other districts and won in eight seats. While all the top leaders in the Congress either were defeated or failed to get impressive results in their respective districts, TPCC working president from Khammam district, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, stood apart.
He succeeded in Madhira by overcoming the hurdles created by opposition party MP P. Srinivas Reddy and some section of leaders in his own party. It is now learnt that he will be made floor leader of the Congress in the Telangana Legislative Assembly or even TPCC president.
Incidentally, another TPCC working president Revanth Reddy lost in the elections from Kodangal and he also lagged behind in winning other seats in his native Mahbubnagar district. TPCC president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy managed to win from Huzurnagar but his wife, Padmavathi, could not retain her Kodad seat. Other seats in Nalgonda district were won by the rival party.
When compared with the other party stalwarts like Ponnala Laxmaiah, Jana Reddy, Jeevan Reddy, D.K. Aruna, Komatireddy Venkat Redy and Shabbir Ali, Bhatti fared better than anybody. The Mahakutami registered victories in eight segments including Madhira, Kothagudem, Palair, Sattupalli, Aswaraopet, Yellandu, Pinapaka and Bhadrachalam.
His inputs to the high command on who to field in Yellandu, Kothagudem, Pinapaka, Bhadrachalam and Palair paid off because the Congress fared well. Aswaraopet and Sattupalli were bagged by theTelugu Desam.
Many leaders in the Congress had their doubts about winning in Yellandu and Bhadrachalam. Sodem Veeraiah, who won from Bhadrachalam, was not interested in contesting from the holy town, but Bhatti convinced him to fight and assured him of a win there. Interestingly, the camp of former Union minister Renuka Chowdary tried to foil his plans in the candidate selection but he outsmarted her.
His rivals in the Congress predicted a Bhatti loss in Madhira and other segments. In the case of Vanama also, Bhatti argued before the high command by saying he (Vanama) is the right choice.
