Municipal Poll Results Dampen YSRC Morale Ahead Of ZPTC, MPTC Elections
Opposition candidates say organisational and financial support is lacking in the territorial constituency elections
Kakinada: Ruling NDA alliance’s substantial victories in the municipal elections has dampened the morale of YSRC candidates contesting the ZPTC and MPTC elections scheduled for November 5.
YSRC’s organisational shortcomings and lack of financial support have added to the challenges faced by its candidates, particularly in the Godavari districts.
Except in a few areas, party in-charges in several constituencies are reportedly showing little interest in the local body elections.
Several people who initially expressed interest in contesting on the opposition party tickets have now lost interest.
YSRC leadership has been reduced to fielding candidates wherever aspirants are available, irrespective of their prospects, sources said.
In Peddapuram constituency, the party in-charge has faced criticism for his lack of involvement in the election process.
According to party circles, he distributed B-forms to candidates recommended by local leaders but remained largely disengaged from the subsequent campaign.
Similar complaints have emerged from other constituencies.
YSRC candidates allege their constituency in-charges are neither campaigning nor providing financial assistance.
Some second-rung leaders said the opposition party would have put up a stronger contest in the municipal elections had the constituency in-charges provided even modest financial and organisational support to candidates.
They cited the example of Vijayalakshmi, who contested from Nidadavole.
She allegedly did not receive adequate backing from the party.
She lost despite facing a weak alliance candidate.
However, some senior YSRC leaders are now trying to boost the morale of candidates and party workers through village visits and personal interactions.
YSRC state youth wing president and former Rajanagaram MLA Jakkampudi Raja, former ministers Ch. Srinivasa Venu Gopalakrishna, Dadisetti Raja, and K. Kannababu, and former MLAs Sathi Suryanarayana Reddy of Anaparthi, and Chirla Jaggireddy, have visited villages and campaigned in support of their party candidates.
Campaigning for the rural local body polls in the Godavari districts has ended at 5 pm on Tuesday.