Tirupati Deputy Mayor race heats up after alliance sweep

Tirupati: The ruling alliance scored a decisive win in Tirupati Municipal Corporation elections, capturing 59 of 66 wards and the Mayor’s post. With TDP’s JB Srinivas, from Balija community, elected as Mayor, focus has shifted to the single Deputy Mayor post to be filled on November 23.

Unlike the previous YSRCP regime that offered more posts, only one position is available this time, making the contest highly competitive. Nearly 20 aspirants from Jana Sena and BJP are lobbying intensely. The alliance is expected to award the post to either partner rather than another Balija leader, with Reddy, Kamma and BC candidates emerging as stronger contenders.

Jana Sena, allotted 22 wards and winning 19, has an all-first-time corporator team. Leading names include city party president Jagadish Rajareddy (Ward 58), a BC leader backed by MLA Arani Srinivasulu; Paladugu Vijaya (Ward 35), wife of Gate Group chairman and Jana Sena leader Thammineni Venkateswarlu, who could benefit if a Kamma candidate is preferred; and Shahina, seeking minority representation as daughter-in-law of senior leader SK Babu.

BJP is demanding the post, arguing it lacks adequate representation. If successful, Prithvi Reddy (Ward 52), son of senior BJP leader and former TTD Board Member Bhanu Prakash Reddy, is the clear front-runner with support from the party’s other corporators.

As the election nears, community balance, party equity and alliance negotiations will decide the winner.