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Mother-in-law vs daughter-in-law in Kurnool mayoral contest
In Short
The unusual contest has attracted considerable attention in local political circles, turning the mayoral race into a battle of family ties, political loyalties, and electoral ambitions.
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B Vijaya Pratyusha and U Suseela
Kurnool: The mayoral election in the Kurnool Municipal Corporation has thrown up a rare situation in which a mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law from the same extended family has been pitted against each other as political rivals. While Bollleddula Vijaya Pratyusha is contesting as the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) candidate, Uthakalla Suseela is representing the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP). The unusual contest has attracted considerable attention in local political circles, turning the mayoral race into a battle of family ties, political loyalties, and electoral ambitions.
The Kurnool mayoral post is reserved for an SC woman, prompting major political parties to field candidates with strong credentials. The relationship between the two candidates has added an intriguing dimension to the contest.
Pratyusha’s sister Priyanka is married to Suseela’s son Bhargav, making Suseela her mother-in-law by family relationship. Despite their close family connections, the two women are now competing for the prestigious civic post on behalf of rival political parties.
Suseela is banking on her family’s long-standing political legacy and influence. Her husband, Mani Gandhi, previously served as Kodumur MLA, while her father-in-law, Shikhamani, was elected MLA from the constituency four times. The YSRCP believes that the family’s political experience, established connections, and traditional support base could work in Suseela’s favour in the mayoral contest.
Pratyusha is relying on her grassroots-level experience and the backing of the ruling alliance. She served as corporator of Kurnool’s 51st division for five years, gaining experience in local governance and visibility among residents. Her father, Ramakrishna, is a close associate of State Minister TG Bharath, whose support is seen as a major advantage for the TDP candidate. With Pratyusha banking on her civic experience and alliance backing, and Suseela counting on her family’s political legacy, the contest is expected to hinge on corporator support, party strategies, and the final political equations within the municipal corporation.
