leader from Narasannapeta mandal, however, had a different experience. The seat was reserved for a woman under the general category, and the party fielded his wife instead. The family reportedly considered this a favourable outcome of the rituals. Astrological consultations have apparently gone beyond pujas and homams. — DC Image

Rather than appealing directly to voters, several political aspirants in North Andhra appear to have turned to astrologers and priests to improve their prospects in the local body elections. However, not all these spiritual investments seem to have paid off. A ZPTC aspirant’s wife reportedly paid Rs 30,000 to an astrologer for a special puja, only to find that the seat was subsequently allotted to another party under an alliance arrangement. In another case, a municipal aspirant approached a godman in Odisha and paid Rs 20,000 for a homam, but the seat eventually went to a woman candidate. A leader from Narasannapeta mandal, however, had a different experience. The seat was reserved for a woman under the general category, and the party fielded his wife instead. The family reportedly considered this a favourable outcome of the rituals. Astrological consultations have apparently gone beyond pujas and homams. Several aspirants have reportedly sought advice on the colour of clothes to wear during campaigning, auspicious rings to sport and even the Vastu compliance of their homes. Some are said to be considering changing residences in the belief that a new address could bring them better electoral fortunes. For these aspirants, it seems, winning the party ticket is only half the battle; getting the stars aligned is another matter altogether!


Jagan braces for a stormy political test

YSRC president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy appears to have rolled up his sleeves for a political battle that could test his claims of continued public support as Andhra Pradesh prepares for the local body elections on November 1. During a recent visit to Pulivendula in Kadapa district, Jagan, while addressing party cadre, alleged that the ruling dispensation was resorting to electoral malpractices in the local body elections. He urged his party workers to remain vigilant against poll-related violations and assured them of his support. Jagan also warned that any police action against YSRC workers would be treated as an attack on him personally. He further said that if the YSR Congress returned to power, those responsible would be paid back with interest. However, before looking ahead to a possible return to power, Jagan has a more immediate political test to face: demonstrating that the public support he claims still exists. The local body election results could offer an indication of where he and his party stand in Andhra Pradesh's current political landscape.

Veteran gets a ‘lecture’ on party loyalty

The distribution of B-forms to Telugu Desam candidates for the ZPTC and MPTC elections in Nellore on Tuesday turned into a political spectacle, with endowments minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy publicly pulling up district party president Beeda Ravichandra over alleged support for rebels in Atmakur. “What is this intimidation? Do you think we don’t know politics?” Anam reportedly thundered, warning that anti-party activities would not be tolerated. Nellore MP Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy and former minister Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy witnessed the verbal exchange. The ministerƾs outburst was reportedly directed at leaders accused of working against official TD nominees and allegedly backing rebel candidates under the Jana Sena banner. The episode has triggered another debate within party circles. Loyalists are reportedly questioning whether Beeda, who has stood by the TD since its inception, needed a lecture on party discipline from leaders whose own political journeys have included stints in other parties. After all, party loyalty and political history can sometimes make for uncomfortable comparisons.


Priorities in a tangle as key projects take a back seat

A year ago, VMRDA chairman M.V. Pranav Gopal promised that Visakhapatnam’s Rs 3.5-crore Anti-Drug Glow Theme Park would become a model awareness centre for the country. Union minister K. Rammohan Naidu virtually inaugurated the project, which was expected to be completed by August this year. Yet, the park remains unfinished, with little visible progress on the ground. Meanwhile, the VMRDA has inaugurated development works worth nearly Rs 10 crore in Anakapalle, including the Rs 5.4-crore Telugu Talli Park. Local leaders have understandably welcomed these projects. However, the contrast has raised questions over the priorities being accorded to development initiatives. If funds and attention are available for new projects, why has a flagship initiative aimed at raising awareness among young people about drug abuse failed to make similar progress? A park meant to send a strong message against drugs appears to be waiting for its own revival.

Jagan’s no-unanimity rule faces the Peddireddy test

Does former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s warning that MLA tickets would be denied to leaders who allow unanimous elections in local bodies apply to his trusted aide, Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy, too? This question is doing the rounds as the YSRC struggles to field candidates for the municipal elections in Punganur, the stronghold of the former minister who once called the shots across Chittoor district. During Jagan’s regime, Punganur witnessed fierce clashes, with TD leaders alleging that they were prevented from filing nominations. Peddireddy had also played a key role in helping the YSRC defeat the TD in Kuppam’s local body elections. However, the political equations have since changed. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu retained Kuppam comfortably in 2024, while Peddireddy won his own Assembly seat by a relatively slim margin. With the YSRC now struggling to field candidates in Peddireddy’s own backyard, Jagan faces an awkward test of his ultimatum. Will his trusted lieutenant also risk losing his MLA ticket, or will the rule come with a Peddireddy exception? That is the question party circles are waiting to see answered.

Chintamaneni Stirs the Pot, Jana Sena Ally Fumes

Senior Telugu Desam leader Chintamaneni Prabhakar seems to have once again found himself in the thick of controversy, this time over his remarks about the alliance candidate for the Eluru Municipal Corporation, Reddy Appala Naidu of the Jana Sena. Setting aside the niceties of alliance dharma, Prabhakar reportedly remarked that Appala Naidu had secured the ticket for the coveted post only because of the alliance and would otherwise never have been able to aspire to become the civic body’s chief. The remarks have reportedly upset Jana Sena cadres, who have chosen to remain silent for now in view of the ongoing elections. However, the comments have once again ruffled feathers among the alliance partner’s supporters, raising questions about how comfortably the two parties are managing their political partnership. After all, alliance arithmetic may bring parties together, but keeping egos in check appears to be a different challenge altogether.




 Jaju, the punctuality stickler, keeps officers on their toes

Telangana Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju appears to be a stickler for punctuality, with no special concessions for senior officials, regardless of their rank. An IG-rank IPS officer reportedly learnt this the hard way when he walked into a review meeting at the Secretariat more than 10 minutes late recently. The alert and disciplined Jaju is learnt to have taken note of the late arrival and pulled up the senior police officer for keeping everyone waiting. He reportedly reminded the officer that those holding senior positions should lead by example and demonstrate discipline and punctuality rather than set a poor example for their juniors. After all, if senior officers themselves cannot stick to schedules, what can they expect from those working under them? Jaju’s message was apparently clear: official meeting schedules are not suggestions, and rank is certainly no licence to arrive late. In the Chief Secretary’s rulebook, it seems, the clock ticks equally for everyone.


Candid camera: MLA Rohith’s gaming moment at CM’s drought meet

While Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, his Cabinet colleagues and Congress legislators were busy discussing one of Telangana’s most pressing challenges — the El Nino threat and the worsening drought situation — Medak MLA Mynampally Rohith appeared to be fighting a different battle altogether. At a crucial meeting at Praja Bhavan to discuss the drought situation and the government’s preparedness to tackle its impact, the young legislator, popularly known as the “Gen Z MLA”, appeared more engrossed in playing video games on his mobile phone than in the deliberations around him. Unfortunately for Rohith, his gaming session did not remain a private affair. The moment was caught on camera, and the video soon went viral on social media, drawing criticism and ridicule. Netizens questioned the seriousness of an elected representative who appeared to have found time for mobile gaming while the government was discussing a crisis threatening farmers and the state’s economy. For the Rohit, it turned out to be an unwanted viral moment.


Contributions from Md. Ilyas, Sampat G Samritan, Avinash P Subramanyam, Vadrevu Srinivas, Aruna, Rajasekhar Pathri, KMP Patnaik, L. Venkat Ram Reddy

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