Teenmaar Mallanna, whose original name is Chintapandu Naveen Kumar, is a popular television personality and journalist, who did not stand a chance against the ruling TRS when he contested for the Huzurnagar Assembly seat. Mallanna got just 894 votes, which was lesser than the votes that NOTA got at that time.

However, things seem to have changed drastically now, as Mallanna is giving the TRS a run for its money. In the ongoing MLC elections, Mallanna is contesting from the Khammam-Nalgonda-Warangal graduates’ constituency and is at the second position by the end of the first preferential polls.

Mallanna got 83,390 votes while TRS’s candidate, Palla Rajeshwar Reddy got 1,11,014 votes. Many are saying that there are high chances that Mallanna might emerge victorious by the end of the second preferential polls. On the other hand, Telangana Jana Samithi leader Prof M Kodandaram has been relegated to the third position with just 70,265 votes.

Speaking about being in the second position, and possibly winning the elections by the second round, Mallanna said that he’s happy that he’s giving the TRS a strong fight, despite not spending a single penny to get the people’s support. He thanked the people for voting for him, despite being in the 39th position on the ballot paper.

Mallanna said that 10% hard work from him for the people has enabled this feat, and said that he would put in the rest of it in the coming days and that his ultimate goal is to bring the TRS down from its throne.

Mallanna is known for his reporting and satirical comments on social and political issues in the state. He has a triple masters, MA (Political Science) and Masters of Communications and Journalism (MCJ) from Osmania University and MBA (Master of Business Administration) from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU).