Parties intensify preparations for local body polls

Nellore: With the State government expected to issue a notification on October 12 for local body elections, major political parties have stepped up efforts to finalise and field candidates. The first phase is likely to cover corporations and municipalities, including Nellore Municipal Corporation along with Atmakur, Kavali, Buchireddipalem and Gudur in the district.

Supreme Court’s verdict against the State government’s 34 per cent reservation for Backward Classes has created difficulties for the ruling TDP. Following Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s directions, the party had treated the quota as mandatory, adding to the complexity of candidate selection.

Under the electoral alliance, TDP has offered 3 per cent of seats to BJP and 7 per cent to Jana Sena Party across local bodies. However, in Nellore Municipal Corporation, which has 70 seats, both allies are reportedly seeking double the share — 6 per cent for BJP and 14 per cent for Jana Sena.

Another challenge for TDP stems from the 54 corporators, who won on YSRCP tickets in 2022 elections and later joined TDP after it assumed control of the corporation following 2024 general elections. These leaders are now pressing for tickets.

To strengthen its prospects, TDP has assigned responsibility for the 35 seats each in Nellore City and Rural constituencies to Municipal Administration Minister Ponguru Narayana and Nellore Rural MLA Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy. Both TDP and YSRCP view the polls as crucial and are making all-out efforts to maximise their gains.

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The Hans India