Telugu Desam Bags Kuppam Chairman Post
YSRC MLC Bharat accused the TD-led coalition of resorting to undemocratic tactics.
TIRUPATI: The Telugu Desam (TD) party clinched a crucial victory in Kuppam Municipality — the home constituency of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu — securing the municipal chairman post in a dramatic turn of events. The election, held on Monday, saw unexpected political realignments that worked in the TD’s favour.
Tensions ran high ahead of the chairman election. In a surprising twist, three councillors from the YSR Congress (YSRC) crossed party lines to support the TD. TD MLC Kancharla Srikanth played an important role in persuading the YSRC councillors, tipping the balance of power towards TD.
Out of the 24 municipal members, 14 councillors and one ex-officio member cast their votes for the TD’s candidate. In contrast, only nine YSRC councillors participated, with one councillor absent. Selva Raj, a councillor from the 6th ward and a member of the locally influential Vannekula Kshatriya community, was elected Chairman.
The election was shaped by social dynamics, with candidates from the Backward Classes (BC) and Vannekula Kshatriya communities competing for support. Selva Raj’s candidacy, backed by both the party leadership and the community, consolidated votes and secured the TD’s win. The victory sparked celebrations among TD, Jana Sena and BJP alliance leaders and workers, who gathered outside the MPDO office.
Kuppam municipality had previously been under YSRC control, with 19 out of 25 councillors elected during the last administration. However, following the TD-led coalition's return to power in the state, then YSRC chairman Dr D. Sudheer resigned, paving the way for the by-election. In addition, five YSRC councillors defected to the TD, contributing to Monday’s outcome.
In a bid to prevent further defections, the YSRC moved its councillors to Bengaluru under the leadership of MLC K.R.J. Bharat to safeguard its numbers. However, their return to Kuppam on Monday morning did little to stop the TD’s victory. After the election, YSRC district president Bhumana Karunakar Reddy announced the suspension of the party’s councillors who had supported the TD, citing indiscipline and betrayal.
YSRC MLC Bharat accused the TD-led coalition of resorting to undemocratic tactics. He alleged that despite holding 19 out of 25 seats, the YSRC had faced coercion, financial inducements and threats from TD leaders. He condemned the process as a “Black Day” for democracy, claiming that up to `50 lakh had been offered to the defecting YSRC councillors. Bharat vowed to challenge the defections in court and seek the disqualification of the councillors involved.
