Municipal Polls In Kadapa Turn Tense; Kurnool Sees Intense Contest
There are concerns of violence breaking out in Kadapa, Pulivendula, and Jammalamadugu during polling, with rival groups mobilising supporters.
Kurnool: Municipal elections in Andhra Pradesh have turned tense in Kadapa district, while major political parties are making concerted efforts to win key civic bodies in erstwhile Kurnool district.
In YSR Kadapa district, polling is being held only in Kadapa, Pulivendula, and Jammalamadugu municipalities.
Elections in Rajampet, Rayachoti, Kamalapuram, Badvel, Mydukur and Proddatur have already been declared unanimous.
Kadapa mayoral post and the win in Pulivendula municipality are attracting the main political attention.
Telugu Desam leadership is treating the elections as a prestige issue, particularly in Pulivendula, the home constituency of YSRC president and former chief minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Jammalamadugu BJP MLA C.H. Adinarayana Reddy and TD leader B. Tech Ravi have been camping in Pulivendula for the past few days, seeking to defeat YSRC in its stronghold.
In an unprecedented development, TD alliance candidates have secured unanimous victories in 20 of the 40 wards in Pulivendula.
Similarly, results in 50 of the 66 wards in Kadapa Municipal Corporation have been unanimous.
In Jammalamadugu, four of the 32 seats have gone unanimously to alliance partners TD and Jana Sena.
YSRC leaders protest that unanimous results have come about as their candidates have been prevented from filing nominations in those wards.
There are concerns of violence breaking out in Kadapa, Pulivendula, and Jammalamadugu during polling, with rival groups mobilising supporters.
Additional police forces have been deployed, particularly in Pulivendula.
YSRC Kadapa MP Y.S. Avinash Reddy said, “If elections are conducted in a free and fair manner, we are confident of winning the mayoral and chairperson contests.
Despite the hurdles faced by our candidates during the nomination process, we are confident that people will support YSRC.”
TD leaders expressed confidence that their candidates would win the remaining wards, citing the number of unanimous victories secured by the alliance.
Rayalaseema TD coordinator R. Srinivasa Reddy said, “We have achieved an unprecedented number of unanimous victories in Kadapa district.
Even in the wards where elections are being held, our candidates are certain to win.
We are confident of capturing the Kadapa mayoral post.”
With Kadapa being former chief minister and YSRC president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s home district, TDP leadership is treating the contest in the district as a prestigious battle.
Results of the polling on Sunday will be closely watched in the three municipalities.
Municipal elections in the erstwhile Kurnool district are also witnessing intense competition.
Atmakur and Allagadda municipalities in Nandyal district have been declared unanimous, while elections are being held in Kurnool, Adoni, Bethamcherla, Gudur, Yemmiganur, and Nandyal, among other municipalities.
Kurnool mayoral and ward elections have become a prestige issue for industries minister T.G. Bharath, who has been campaigning for the past 10 days to secure victory for alliance candidates.
Kadapa and Kurnool Municipal Corporation Details
Particulars/ Kurnool /Kadapa
Total voters 4.79 lakh 3.07 lakh
Total wards 68 66
Unanimously elected wards 1 50
