Chief Minister Kirankumar reddy today pooh-poohed the idea of calling the by poll results as referendum on the Government and said the by polls are taking place because of local issues.

“Thy by polls are not referendum on my government. They do not reflect the Governance as they are being held purely on local grounds,” Kiran told media persons in Hyderabad.

Kiran said TRS Chief KCR won with a majority of more than two lakh votes first time but second time he won with a mere 15000 votes’ majority. “Even some of the seats won by TRS in by elections were bagged by the Congress in general elections. Will he call that also referendum?” he asked.

Referring to the reports that by polls to the 17 assembly constituencies represented by the disqualified pro-Jagan MLAs would be held in May well before the Presidential election, Kiran said conducting the polls or by polls is within the purview of the Election Commission.

Denying reports that industrialist GVK Reddy has thrown his hat into the ring for the Rajya Sabha biennial elections taking advantage of his intimacy with him, CM said the report has come as a shock to him.

Referring to the reports that mega star Chiranjeevi would be sent to the Rajya Sabha, he said the congress party would benefit from Chiranjeevi irrespective of his being placed at the Centre or in the state. (J)