NELLORE: Barring some stray incidents, byelection for Kovur assembly constituency on Sunday was by and large smooth and peaceful.There was heavy turnout of voters at polling stations and at end of the day, more than 72 percent of polling was recorded. Voters arrived at respective polling stations well before 8 am when the polling commenced to decide the fate of 14 contenders for the Assembly seat.At majority of polling stations, it was women who turned up in large numbers, making political observers predict an advantage for YSRC which is banking on them for victory.Though the traditional vote banks of both TDP and Congress have reportedly voted on expected lines, woman voters are the deciding factor in this election.At Turpupattapalem village of Mypadu mandal, a traditional TDP village, 78 percent polling was reported by 2 p.m. Voters in Bucchireddypalle, Reballa, Damaramadugu and Pothireddipallem are said to have leaned towards TDP’s Chandra Mohan Reddy, while YSRC appears to be favourite at Vidavaluru, Kodavalur, Alaganipadu, Basavaipallem, Dampuru, Vavilla and Ramatheeram villages.In case of Indukurpet, many voters of the mandal headquarters town reportedly voted for YSRC, while the majority at Devispeta, Mottalu, Koturu and Mypadu with the TDP way.According to political observers, the main contest is between TDP and YSRC, with odds favouring YSRC. However, considering that Kovur was traditionally a TDP stronghold, the contest is said to be tough.Speaking to Express, Farid Mastan, 32, a disabled person from Leguntapadu in Kovur mandal who runs a small shop, said, “I cast my vote seeing face of Jagan and out of my respect for YSR and not because of Prasanna Kumar Reddy”. If not for Prasanna, YSRC victory would be certain with a majority, he added. The view is shared by many villages.
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