Hyderabad, June 1 (IANS) The ruling Congress party established initial leads in two Lok Sabha constituencies and was also ahead in four assembly seats as counting of votes for by-polls to four parliamentary and 18 assembly constituencies in Andhra Pradesh began Sunday. The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) was ahead in two Lok Sabha and three assembly constituencies while the main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) candidates were leading in three assembly segments.

The resignation of four MPs and 14 state legislators of TRS in March caused the by-elections. Two assembly seats fell vacant due to death of sitting legislators of Congress and TDP.

About 60 percent of 8.6 million voters had cast the votes in the by-elections held on Thursday.

A total of 174 candidates including 29 for four Lok Sabha seats, were in the fray.

The counting of votes began amid tight security at 18 centres for assembly seats and 28 centres for Lok Sabha seats.

Since TRS legislators resigned en masse over the delay in carving out separate Telanagana state, the by-elections are viewed as referendum on the issue. The by-polls are also considered as semi-final before the next year’s elections.