It’s sweets, music, dance, hugs and fireworks after Prabhakar Reddy wrests Munugode back for TRS

The latest was to celebrate TRS candidate K Prabhakar Reddy’s win by a margin of 10,113 votes over his nearest rival, K Rajagopal Reddy of the BJP, in a tight contest in Munugode.

Related: People chose self-respect over BJP inducements, says KTR

Bike rally, sweets and hugs

The win was a sweet revenge as well. Prabhakar Reddy was the MLA of Munugode from 2014 before Rajgopal Reddy snatched away the seat from TRS in 2018.

Rajgopal Reddy had then contested on a Congress ticket. The bypoll was necessitated after he resigned the MLA post before quitting the Congress and joining the BJP.

TRS workers celebrate Munugode bypoll victory at the party headquarters in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, on 6 November. (Ajay Tomar/South First)

While some TRS functionaries were seen busy greeting each other with sweets and warm hugs, while others incessantly chanted ‘Jai Telangana, Jai KCR’, ‘Desh ki Netha KCR (KCR, India’s leader).’

Some others were busy getting their photographs clicked in front of a cutout that read, “First BRS Victory, Jai KCR,” indicating the first election victory after TRS had announced its national ambitions.

The party cadres expressed their enthusiasm and happiness by offering interviews to journalists.

An elderly man unfurling the TRS flag on Isuzu Hi-Lander car, modified and painted pink. (Ajay Tomar/South First)

An elderly man could not contain the excitement of the win. He unfurled the TRS flag atop an Isuzu D-Max Hi-Lander car.

The car itself was modified and painted pink, the TRS colour. Huge loudspeakers on the cargo bed blared out music.

Meanwhile, on the main road outside the Bhavan, TRS supporters took out a bike rally, and hundreds of crackers —both aerial and on the ground — stole the show as the news of the victory was confirmed.

Victory of secularism, says minister

TRS workers celebrate Munugode bypoll victory at the party headquarters in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, on 6 November. (Ajay Tomar/South First)

Home Minister Mahmood Ali was one of the first senior leaders to reach Telangana Bhavan. Hundreds of party workers surrounded him on the main lawn.

Speaking to South First, Ali said, “Even though we believed since the beginning that we will win in Munugode, the competition was tough. The party workers worked hard”.

Indicating BJP as TRS’s prime opposition in Munugode, he added that the results indicated the victory of the idea of secularism, which is floated by the TRS.

Several TRS workers got themselves clicked in front of the cutout that said ‘First BRS Victory’ at the party headquarters in Hyderabad, on 6 November. (Ajay Tomar/South First)

“By voting for TRS, the people of Munugode proved that they trust CM KCR and want him to rule. People of India are also watching the rapidly progressing Telangana model, the various welfare schemes like Rythu Beema, Bhagiratha scheme and want their state also to develop the same way”, Ali, who is also the president of TRS Minority Cell, noted.

Ali added that the Munugode residents have conveyed that they want to live peacefully irrespective of their community or religion.

“People want to continue the Ganga jamuni tehzeeb (respect all religions) and that is the message they have given”, he pointed out.

After the #TRS victory in #MunugodeBypoll, #Telangana Home Minister @mahmoodalitrs said that the #Munugode public has given a message that they want communal harmony. #ByElections2022 @TheSouthfirst pic.twitter.com/j3LIca9cOK

— Ajay Tomar (@ajaytomarasks) November 6, 2022

Prelude to 2023 win

Seelam Saraswati, a senior leader from the Ghoshamahal Assembly constituency, who is popular for displaying photos of KCR on her accessories such as sunglasses, watch, bangles, and necklace, was busy playing a drum.

Seelam Saraswati with the drum. (Ajay Tomar/South First)

“I am very happy that we have come on top today. It is good to see TRS getting so much support,” she told South First.

Another party functionary, Mohammed Abdul Basit, who is a senior leader attached to the TRS minority cell, told South First, “I am confident that now we will win the next year’s Assembly elections too. KCR sir has given a befitting reply to the BJP’s strategy of divide and rule as they lured Congress MLA Komatireddy into their party.”

Related: Why the TRS has little to celebrate