Kuppam Civic Poll: Defections Before TD–YSRC Showdown

Tirupati: With just days to go for the municipal chairman election in Kuppam, political tensions touched its peak in Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s home constituency. The April 28 vote will be a high-stakes battle for local control.

What began as a routine civic poll has turned into a direct face-off between the Telugu Desam and the YSRC, as both parties intensify efforts to engineer defections and consolidate support.

The TD, which faced defeat in the 2021 municipal polls by winning only six of the 25 wards, is now hoping for a comeback. The most notable defection from the YSRC came from Sudheer Darbha, the former municipal chairman, who resigned and joined the TD in the presence of the Chief Minister in Amaravati.

Sudheer’s departure triggered a domino effect, with five other councillors exiting from the YSRC, reducing its strength from 19 to 13. The TD now commands the support of 11 councillors, in addition to its MLC Kancharla Srikanth. It still requires three more votes to grab the chairman’s seat.

“The momentum has clearly shifted in our favour. People and elected representatives alike are disillusioned with the YSRC’s local leadership. We’re working to consolidate our support,” a senior TD leader in Kuppam told the Deccan Chronicle.

On the other hand, the YSRC has gone into damage control mode, reportedly shifting its councillors out of Kuppam to prevent further defections. A senior party leader downplayed the TD’s confidence, stating, “This is nothing but an engineered narrative. We still have the numbers. The party has taken measures to prevent poaching, and all our councillors are united.”

As the April 28 election draws near, the numbers remain tight. With one MLC aligned to each party, the current count stands at 12 votes for the TD and 14 for the YSRC. The outcome could hinge on how independents and undecided councillors vote. Though Chandrababu Naidu technically has a vote, sources indicate he may not participate in the election due to other engagements.

Within the TD, discussions are ongoing to finalise its candidate. MLC Srikanth would hold consultations with the party leadership, with councillors Somasekhar and Damu reportedly in the race. However, speculation abound about whether Sudheer could be fielded again, pending the status of his resignation as councillor.

“If the resignation hasn’t been formally accepted, it may open a legal window for his re-entry into the election fray,” a source said.