Panchayat polls turn costly affair in NTR district
In Short
- Candidates reportedly ready to spend Rs 2 cr to Rs 10 cr in major panchayats around Vijayawada
- Sarpanch aspirants struggle to mobilise funds; competition intensifies among NDA alliance partners
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Panchayat polls turn costly affair in NTR district
Vijayawada: Gram panchayat elections in NTR district are turning out to be an expensive affair compared to Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) elections, with several sarpanch aspirants reportedly mobilising huge amounts of money to meet election expenditure. Some candidates are even exploring the option of mortgaging their agricultural lands and other properties to arrange funds for their election campaigns. According to political sources, elections in several major gram panchayats surrounding Vijayawada are likely to involve expenditure ranging from Rs.2 crore to Rs.10 crore, depending on the size of the electorate and political competition.
Gollapudi, one of the largest gram panchayats with approximately 26,000 voters, is expected to witness election expenditure exceeding Rs.10 crore, according to local political circles. Ramavarappadu and Prasadampadu are also likely to see spending in the range of Rs 5 crore to Rs 10 crore, while expenditure in Nunna is estimated at nearly Rs 5 crore.
Similarly, candidates in Nidamanuru and Enikepadu are reportedly preparing to spend between Rs 2 crore and Rs 3 crore, while expenditure in Kothuru Tadepalli and several other villages is estimated at around Rs.1 crore.
The extent of financial competition was evident in reports of an attempted auction of the Jakkampudi gram panchayat sarpanch post, in which TDP supporter Nikhil Yadav reportedly offered Rs.1.20 crore. Meanwhile, alleged auction attempts in Prasadampadu and Enikepadu were disrupted following objections raised by government whip and Gannavaram MLA Yarlagadda Venkata Rao.
The elections have also become a prestige issue for the ruling NDA alliance comprising the TDP, Jana Sena Party and BJP. Leaders and supporters of the three parties are competing for sarpanch and other local leadership positions, seeking to strengthen their political influence at the grassroots level.
With the NDA government in power in the state, alliance leaders are keen to establish their dominance in the NTR Zilla Parishad and Vijayawada Rural Mandal Parishad as well. This has further intensified political activity and competition in villages around Vijayawada.
Against this backdrop, several sarpanch aspirants are facing the challenge of arranging substantial financial resources even before entering the electoral battle.
