The results of the by-elections to 12 assembly seats in Telangana declared on Friday went on more or less expected lines; and the only shock was the result of Pradesh Congress Committee president D Srinivas, who has almost lost the Nizamabad (urban) seat miserably.

Despite pulling all the stops to win the elections at any cost, DS failed to put up even a decent fight, leave alone winning the seat. The percentage of polling was almost six per cent more than the last year, and the increased percentage of voting only resulted in an increase in the defeat margin of DS. According to the latest reports, DS lost by more than 12,600 votes.

The defeat of DS in the hands of BJP candidate Y Lakshminarayana is much more humiliating for the PCC president, as he would lose his face before the high command. Now, he will not only lose the PCC president post, but also have no right to claim the chief minister post even if Telangana state is formed. Poor DS!