NDA Wins Darsi, Kanigiri Unopposed; Awaits Keen Contests in Prakasam
The NDA alliance bags all councillor seats in Darsi and Kanigiri, while Ongole emerges as the key battleground in Prakasam district.
The ruling Telugu Desam-led NDA alliance has made an impressive beginning in municipal elections in the erstwhile Prakasam district. It has secured two municipalities — Darsi and Kanigiri — unopposed, while gearing up for a keen electoral battle in Ongole, Addanki, Markapuram, Chimakurthy, and Giddalur.
Unopposed victories have given the alliance an early political advantage, with Jana Sena Party (JSP) capturing Darsi municipality and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) securing Kanigiri. In Darsi, JSP candidate Daram Subba Rao has been elected unopposed as municipal chairperson. The alliance also secured all 28 councillor seats, with the TDP winning 25, Jana Sena two and BJP one.
In Kanigiri, TDP candidate Thirupatamma Challa has been elected unopposed as chairperson, while the party secured all 30 councillor seats, giving the Telugu Desam a complete sweep of the municipality.
Ongole Municipal Corporation (OMC) is, however, emerging as the major political battleground, with a direct contest between the NDA and the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) for control of the civic body. The main mayoral contest is between TDP nominee Nallamalli Sri Shilpa and YSRCP candidate Kuppam Prasad, former chairman of the AP Arya Vysya Corporation. A total of 15 candidates are in the mayoral race.
Of the 62 divisions in Ongole, Jana Sena is contesting 11, the BJP two, while the TDP is contesting the remaining divisions against the YSRC and other candidates.
In Markapuram, the alliance has secured three wards unopposed — TDP two and BJP one. The main chairperson contest is between TDP's K. Ramireddy and YSRCP's Ch. Kanaka Durga.
Addanki is witnessing a contest between TDP candidate K. Ashok and YSRCP nominee U. Suresh for chairperson, while in Chimakurthy, TDP's Sidda Sudhakar is facing YSRCP's Medagam Sridevi.
In Giddalur, BJP candidate Dr. J.V. Narayana is taking on YSRCP nominee Dr B. Narasimha Reddy for the chairperson's post.
Elections in Kandukur and Podili have been deferred due to legal and procedural delays.
The polling is on November 1 and counting of votes is scheduled for November 3.
