In an effort to understand how Google search algorithms work, a Democratic congresswoman asked the tech company’s CEO a simple question: “If you Google the word ‘idiot’ under images, a picture of Donald Trump comes up. How would that happen? How does search work so that that would occur?”

In the middle of a congressional hearing ostensibly about privacy and data collection, Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., apparently performed that search from the dais. As it turns out, the image results for “idiot” reveals a page of mostly Trump photos.

Google chief executive Sundar Pichai, who was testifying before the House Judiciary Committee Tuesday morning, tried to explain to the roomful of mostly tech novices how the algorithms take into account some 200 factors – such as relevance, popularity, how others are using the search term – to determine how to best match a query with results.

“So it’s not some little man sitting behind the curtain figuring out what we’re going to show the user. It’s basically a compilation of what users are generating, and trying to sort through that information?” Zofgren asked, facetiously.

Zofgren was reacting to Republicans’ allegations that Google employees manipulate results for political reasons.

The hearing mostly revealed lawmakers’ rudimentary understanding of how the internet works and provided a platform for them to complain about unfavorable search results.

In one exchange, Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, asked Pichai whether he had ever directed an employee to manipulate search results. Pichai explained that it’s not possible for one person, or even a group of people, to do that because there are so many steps in the process.

But Smith did not accept that explanation, telling Pichai: “Let me just say, I disagree. I think humans can manipulate the process. It is a human process at its base.”

Republicans on the panel couldn’t get past the myth that some person(s) inside Google couldn’t arbitrarily change search algorithms for political gain.

Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Ohio, complained that when he googled the Republican health care bill or the GOP tax cuts the first several pages listed negative articles.

“How do you explain this apparent bias on Google’s part against conservative points of view, against conservative policies? Is it just the algorithm, or is there more happening there?” Chabot asked.

“Congressman, I understand the frustration of seeing negative news, and, you know, I see it on me,” Pichai offered.

“What is important here is we use the robust methodology to reflect what is being said about any given topic at any particular time. And we try to do it objectively, using a set of rubrics. It is in our interest to make sure we reflect what’s happening out there in the best objective manner possible. I can commit to you, and I can assure you we do it without regards to political ideology. Our algorithms have no notion of political sentiment in it.”

But Chabot wasn’t having it. He told Pichai that conservatives believe Google is “picking winners and losers in political discourse.”

“There’s a lot of people that think what I’m saying here is happening,” Chabot said. “And I think it’s happening.”

Senior Telangana Rashtra Samithi leader from Khammam Tummala Nageshwar Rao was one of the four ministers in the Telangana cabinet who faced defeat in the elections, the other three being Patnam Mahender Reddy, Jupallli Krishna Rao and Ajmeera Chandulal.

Tummala, who is a close associate of TRS president and chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, was one of the hot favourites to win his election from Palair.

Despite campaigning by KCR himself, the minister lost the elections with a slender margin.

However, KCR reportedly called Tummala on Tuesday evening and assured that he would take care of his future.

It is learnt the TRS president decided to induct Tummmala back into his cabinet, which is likely to be formed on Thursday and within six months, he would ensure that the minister would get nominated to the Legislative Council.

According to sources, the new cabinet of KCR will have the same old faces mostly. They include K T Rama Rao, T Harish Rao, Mahmud Ali, T Srinivasa Yadav, G Jagadish Reddy, K Laxma Reddy, Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, Etela Rajender, A Indrakaran Reddy and Kadiam Srihari.

Besides, there could be some new faces like Patnam Narender Reddy, S Niranjan Reddy, T Srinivas Goud, Balka Suman and Ch Kranti Kiran. Seniors like Errabelli Dayakar Rao and Redya Naik might also find their names in the list of ministers.

Unlike in the past, this time, KCR may induct a couple of women ministers as well and the names of Gongidi Sunitha and Padma Devender Reddy are doing rounds.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday lost out on one of the biggest prestige battles for him. Unable to match up to the silent KCR wave in Telangana, the Mahakutami, an alliance that Naidu scripted, lost what could have been the stepping stone to an anti-BJP allied force.

While the alliance’s campaigning was relentless, enough to unsettle KCR, Naidu still could not pull off a win. And now, Naidu has to fight yet another battle to stay relevant.

Late in October, Naidu made a packed visit to New Delhi and met several opposition leaders. During one press conference during his visit, Naidu did not rule out joining hands with the Congress to defeat the BJP ahead of 2019.

While Naidu has been critical of the Congress too for its unkept promise on Andhra Pradesh special category status, he joined hands with them in Telangana ahead of the state elections later this year.

The alliance’s campaigning was relentless, enough to unsettle KCR. Not making his anger against BJP any subtle, Naidu’s plans of defeating the BJP in Telangana were supposed to give the anti-BJP front a boost nationally too.

Naidu is not a freshman to coalition politics. He was the convenor of the United Front in 1996, which TDP was a part of. Before that, TDP’s founder NT Rama Rao was significant in forming the National Front led by Janata Dal in 1989.

While his message by aligning with the Congress was clear—that he intended to not remain isolated—it was not enough.

It is also believed that Naidu had, on the basis of his own surveys, suggested to the Congress about the candidates to be fielded. Now with the loss in Telangana, his dreams of being the convenor of the anti-BJP front will see a roadblock.

Analysts, however, believe that Naidu will do everything in his might to stay relevant. This alliance in Telangana will have a huge impact on what happens in Naidu’s bastion, Andhra Pradesh. Jana Sena will not align with the TDP and YSR is Naidu’s arch rival in the state.

“Now, the ball is in Congress’s court. Local Congress leaders, however, will fight a possible alliance in Andhra. If the Congress decides to go separate ways, Naidu has nowhere to go,” said one analyst, adding that one can still not dismiss him nationally as Naidu will “continue to move in the circle.”

Further, Naidu is all set to return home to Andhra to a lot of criticism. The state is grappling with major infrastructure and development work, including its capital city Amaravati.

While Naidu has grand plans for the capital city, him not being available as much (owing to scripting an anti-BJP front and the Telangana elections) will be his Achilles heel.

Additionally, the fact that certain parts of the state are grappling with drought will further accelerate the anti-wave.

TDP Supremo’s wily tactics were out rightly rejected by Telangana voters. Nara Chandrababu Naidu thought if he ropes in a family member from Late Nandamuri Harikrishna’s family, he would score many points politically.

First and foremost, he thought he would make NTR Jr to come out for campaigning for TDP. Second, sympathy wave would work in favour of their party. Thus he had given TDP ticket to Nandamuri Suhasini, daughter of late Harikrishna.

When her name was announced, TDP force was in jubilant mood but their enthusiasm started waning out when she started speaking.

Her speeches were awful. She doesn’t even frame a sentence in Telugu properly. It was soon clear that she was wrong choice.

Much to the embarrassment to Naidu, both NTR Jr and Kalyan Ram had refrained from campaigning for their sister. They didn’t enter into the field at all.

And Nandamuri Balakrishna who campaigned for Suhasini became a laughing stock with his speeches.

As expectedly, Nandamuri Suhasini lost in the elections.

Nandamuri Suhasini secured 70563 votes, while TRS’s Madhavaram Krishna Rao won hands down with total votes of 111612. Madhavaram Krishna Rao got whopping 40k majority over her.

All in all, poor Nandamuri Suhasini became a scapegoat in Babu’s scheme of things.

Leader of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Akbaruddin Owaisi retained the Chandrayangutta constituency for the 5th time by defeating Bin Obaid Misi of the Congress. Akbaruddin has been winning the seat since 1999.

The Chandrayangutta constituency is a stronghold of the Majlis and has always been loyal to the Owaisis. While Congress’ candidate was a bodybuilder and gym trainer, BJP fielded a Muslim woman from ABVP, Syed Shehzadi.

The Chandrayangutta seat was earlier a stronghold of Amanullah Khan who was close aide of Akbaruddin’s father and AIMIM founder Salauddin Owaisi. After Amanullah Khan retained it from 1978, Akbaruddin contested the seat in 1999 and defeat Khan. However, the turnout of the constituency remained low at 46.11%.