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CM Naidu sets Nov 15 deadline for local polls
In Short
AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has set November 15 as the deadline to complete local body elections, asking Ministers to target a 100 per cent victory for the NDA alliance.
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AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu
Amaravati: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has set November 15 as the deadline for completing the three-phase local body election process and directed Ministers in charge of various districts to ensure “a 100 per cent victory” for the NDA, declaring that losing even a single seat was unacceptable.
Addressing Ministers after Saturday’s Cabinet meeting at the State Secretariat, Naidu made the Ministers responsible for the performance of alliance candidates and instructed them to coordinate with the TDP, Jana Sena, and BJP leadership, tailoring their strategies to local political conditions. He said the elections would provide an opportunity for new leadership to emerge and asked Ministers and MLAs to take the contest seriously.
Naidu also asked the Ministers to explain to the public “the YSR Congress Party’s attempts to obstruct the restoration of 34 per cent reservation for Backward Classes in local bodies”. He alleged that the previous YSRCP government had reduced the BC quota and failed to pursue an effective legal remedy after the High Court struck down the relevant government orders.
The Chief Minister asserted that the 34 per cent quota could have been implemented but for court challenges mounted by by YSRCP leaders and associates. He accused the opposition party of approaching the Supreme Court over the use of electoral rolls in an attempt to delay local body elections.
With the legal hurdles cleared, Naidu said the government and the State Election Commission would move ahead with preparations after completing the formalities on reservations.
He urged the alliance to provide BCs the highest possible representation through party nominations wherever statutory quotas fall short. On the development front, Naidu announced that Rs 1 crore per constituency would be released to MLAs. The Cabinet approved BC reservations based on the Rajiv Ranjan Mishra Commission’s recommendations.
The meeting also discussed rotation of reserved seats. Officials have reportedly expressed difficulties in applying the usual rotation principle to Zilla Parishad chairperson posts following the increase in the number of districts and the creation of additional Zilla Parishads. Naidu directed Ministers to ensure coordination among alliance partners as the election process advances towards the November 15 deadline.
