UTF to Face Tough Fight From TD in MLC Elections
Nominations can be filed till February 10

Kakinada: Candidate of the United Teachers Federation (UTF) for the six Godavari districts Graduates’ constituency may face a tough fight from the Telugu Desam candidate. The elections would be held on February 27 and nominations can be filed till February 10.
The MLC election for this constituency was held three times so far. UTF candidate George Victor was elected unexpectedly in the first election and later, KV Ravi Kiran Varma was elected as Independent. Again, the UTF’s state president IV Rao got elected for the third time. This is the fourth election.
The Telugu Desam fielded Perabathula Rajasekhar and the UTF its former East Godavari district president DV Raghavulu. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu closely monitored the election process this time in matters like enrolling more graduates as voters. Every MLA, minister and other leaders have been given responsibility to enroll the voters.
TD candidate Perabathula Rajasekhar is confident of a win. He said, “The TD-BJP-Jana Sena alliance government helps the graduates and the employees, both private and government staff. I would try my level best to do justice to the people.” However, there is opposition to Rajasekhar from one group of Telugu Desam rank and file in Konaseema, it is said.
UTF is a strong vote bank as teachers and government employees are the main voters for candidate Raghavulu. In the Teachers Constituency, UTF candidates won the election twice and in the recent byelection too. Raghavulu said “UTF always fights for the rights of the employees, workers and unemployed youth.”
“The Naidu-led government is taking steps to close some schools. The DSC notification has not been released yet. Many graduates have been waiting for teacher posts to fill up the other vacancies in the department. UTF representatives in the council would fight for the rights of the people,” he said.
Besides, P Rajendra of Kakinada, who is active on social media and advocates change in the society, politics and governance, as also GV Sundar, son of the former Lok Sabha member GV Harsha Kumar, M Srinivas of Eluru and others are keen on contesting the election.
Based on past experience in the elections, if the non-UTF candidates pay money or gifts to the voters, it would work the other way. They vote for UTF candidates.