YSR Congress candidate elected unopposed in Andhra Pradesh bypoll

HYDERABAD: YSR Congress candidate Bhuma Akhila Priya was today elected unopposed from Andhra Pradesh's Allagadda Assembly constituency, where bypoll was slated for November 8.

Akhila Priya was the only candidate to remain in the fray after her opponents - two Independents - pulled out of the contest on the last date for withdrawal of nominations today.

Consequently, the Returning Officer declared that Akhila Priya has been duly elected, a release from the office of Chief Electoral Officer said.

The bypoll was necessitated due to the death of Akhila Priya's mother, Sobha Nagi Reddy, who was the YSRC nominee, days ahead of Assembly elections in the seat in Kurnool district in May this year in a road accident.

However, in a rare instance in India's electoral history, Shoba Reddy won from Allagadda posthumously. But her election was declared null and void, and bypoll was ordered. The ruling TDP and also Congress had agreed not to field their candidates in the bypoll following a request from the Jaganmohan Reddy- led YSR Congress.