Congress splinter group wins Karimnagar urban bank polls with BRS, BJP help

In the Karimnagar Cooperative Urban Bank elections, Karra Rajashekhar’s panel secured 10 out of 12 director posts, defeating rival groups led by Congress leaders Velchala Rajender Rao and Gaddam Vilas Reddy.

Karimnagar: The panel led by former chairman Karra Rajashekhar emerged victorious in the Karimnagar Cooperative Urban Bank elections, the results of which were announced on Sunday. Polling for 12 director posts was held across Karimnagar and Jagtial on Saturday.

Out of 9,287 registered voters, 4,114 cast their votes at 24 polling stations in Karimnagar and seven in Jagtial. Rajashekhar’s panel won 10 out of the 12 director posts, securing a clear majority.

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A panel led by Congress Karimnagar Parliament constituency in-charge Velchala Rajender Rao managed to win two director positions, while the panel led by outgoing chairman Gaddam Vilas Reddy failed to open its account. In a setback, Vilas Reddy himself lost the election.

Although the Congress party did not officially field a panel, three party leaders, Rajashekhar, Rajender Rao and Vilas Reddy, floated their own groups and campaigned vigorously.

Rajashekhar is said to have formed his panel in coordination with BRS and BJP leaders, while Rajender Rao and Vilas Reddy teamed up with Congress activists.

Reacting to the results, Rajender Rao said his panel achieved a ‘moral victory’ despite narrow defeats. He alleged that Rajashekhar’s win was ‘illegal’ and claimed the victory was secured through an ‘unethical alliance with BRS and BJP. He stated he would lodge a complaint with the Congress high command against Rajashekhar.