Jana Sena and Telugu Desam Make Competing Claims; BJP Too Seeks Space In Civic Body
The Tirupati mayoral contest has gained importance with the government deciding to hold direct elections for mayors. The JS is basing its claim, as its candidate Arani Srinivasulu had won from the Tirupati assembly constituency in 2024. After Arani’s election, several YSRC corporators joined the Jana Sena, taking its strength to 11
TIRUPATI: Tirupati mayor’s post is turning into a fresh bargaining chip among ruling alliance partners, with Telugu Desam and Jana Sena staking claims for the top office. TD is banking on its organisational strength and local network, while JS is pressing for its representation through the local MLA.
The other alliance partner – Bharatiya Janata Party – is also seeking a share in the civic body.
The Tirupati mayoral contest has gained importance with the government deciding to hold direct elections for mayors. The JS is basing its claim, as its candidate Arani Srinivasulu had won from the Tirupati assembly constituency in 2024. After Arani’s election, several YSRC corporators joined the Jana Sena, taking its strength to 11.
The TD-JS alliance demonstrated its strength in the corporation when the two parties together secured 26 votes in the deputy mayor’s election in February 2025.
In their favour, Jana Sena leaders are pointing to the distribution of key nominated posts. Their contention is that while the Tirupati MLA is from Telugu Desam, the TD holds several major posts in the city and area, including the TTD, TUDA, SVBC, SAAP, Naayi Brahmin Corporation, AP Greenery and Beautification, and Gangamma temple chairmanships.
JS leaders contend that the mayor’s post should therefore go to Jana Sena to balance the alliance’s share of power.
TD has several aspirants for the mayor’s post, like former MLA A. Mohan, Dampuri Bhaskar Yadav, Penumadu Praneeth, R.C. Munikrishna, and Pushpavathi Yadav.
Former mayor M. Sugunamma, G. Narasimha Yadav, and Mabbu Devanarayana Reddy are also reportedly seeking the civic body chief’s post for themselves or their family members.
“Even if TD gets the mayor’s post in the ruling alliance negotiations, it will have to contend with several aspirants," said P. Ravi Kumar, a political observer.
From the Jana Sena, those aspiring for the post are Pasupuleti Hariprasad, Kiran Royal, and Tammisetti Venkateswarlu.
The third ruling alliance partner BJP is currently focusing on getting additional corporator seats and would explore its options once the results of the civic body poll are declared. The three ruling alliance parties are yet to settle their municipal seat sharing.
In the interim, there is speculation that the mayor’s post may be reserved for BC General candidates, increasing the chances of Yadava and other BC communities. Political observers say the alliance will have to settle the seat sharing and reservation issues before finalising its candidates, particularly when the YSRC continues to have a presence at the grassroots level.
“TD is keen to retain its organisational advantage, while JS and BJP are seeking a larger share of the available seats in Tirupati. Yet, the alliance partners cannot overlook the YSRC, which held a majority in the previous term and retains a grassroots presence," political observer Ravi Kumar underlined.