Naidu sets higher vote-share target

Amaravati: Chief Minister and TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu has set a higher electoral benchmark for the NDA in the upcoming local body elections, directing ministers, MLAs and other public representatives to secure a greater vote share than the alliance achieved in the 2024 General Elections.

Cautioning party leaders against complacency over past electoral victories, he asked them to reach every panchayat, MPTC and ZPTC constituency and municipality to ensure the victory of alliance candidates.

During a teleconference with ministers, MLAs and other leaders on the local body elections, Naidu made it clear that the results would depend on grassroots mobilisation rather than confidence generated by the alliance's previous mandate. He called for coordinated campaigning across rural and urban local bodies, with leaders taking responsibility for their respective areas.

Explaining the candidate selection process, Naidu said the party had undertaken social re-engineering to provide representation to different communities in proportion to their population.

Public opinion and feedback from party cadre were considered while finalising candidates, with priority given to aspirants who secured more than 50 per cent support in the public feedback exercise, he said.

He pointed out that the 11 mayoral seats being contested by the TDP had been allocated to candidates from 11 different social groups. The exercise, he said, was intended to provide opportunities to different sections while identifying candidates with public acceptance.

Naidu also sought to contain the fallout from ticket distribution, instructing leaders to explain the reasons behind the selection to disappointed aspirants and resolve disputes amicably wherever possible. Capable local leadership aligned with public aspirations should be encouraged rather than allowing differences over nominations to weaken the party's prospects.

Emphasising mitra dharma, Naidu told TDP leaders to respect the sentiments of Jana Sena and BJP and work collectively. Strengthening the alliance was as important as strengthening the TDP, he said, calling for unity among the partners throughout the campaign.

The Chief Minister also raised concerns over the possibility of law-and-order disturbances during the elections. Accusing the YSRCP of attempting to create disruptions, he asked party leaders to remain vigilant and alert the government machinery to potential trouble.

He urged the alliance to counter any attempts to derail the electoral process. Naidu called on alliance leaders to combine social representation, disciplined coordination and intensive field-level campaigning to secure a decisive victory across the local bodies.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

K Varaprasada Rao

K Varaprasada Rao[email protected]

K Varaprasada Rao is a Senior Reporter with The Hans India, covering the Andhra Pradesh Secretariat, Chief Minister's Office (CMO), State Legislative Assembly, Legislative Council and political affairs. With over 20 years of experience in journalism in Andhra Pradesh, he has extensively reported on governance, public policy, politics, and socio-economic issues that shape the state's development and influence the country's evolving landscape. He holds a postgraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. His reporting focuses on finance, industries, irrigation, agriculture, infrastructure, investment, public administration, and political developments, with a particular interest in analysing their long-term economic and social impact.

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