TDP alliance gains early advantage in municipal elections

Tirupati: The TDP-led alliance has secured several wards unopposed in the run-up to the November 1 urban local body elections, while candidates are preparing for contests in the remaining divisions and wards across Tirupati, Chittoor and Annamayya districts.

In Tirupati district, Tirupati Municipal Corporation is witnessing a contest for the mayor’s post, with nine candidates in the fray. TDP candidate JB Srinivas has taken the lead in the campaign compared with Y Vasudeva Yadav of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP). Of the 66 divisions, TDP has won two unopposed, leaving 64 divisions to be contested.

The YSRCP has fielded 63 candidates, while the alliance has 66 candidates in the fray, including 39 from TDP, 22 from Jana Sena and five from the BJP.

In Puttur municipality, where Jana Sena has been allotted the chairperson’s post under the alliance arrangement, the contest is continuing. TDP has won one of the 36 wards unopposed, while 89 candidates are contesting the remaining 35 wards.

In Naidupeta municipality, three candidates are contesting for the chairperson’s post, while 92 candidates are in the fray for the 32 wards. In Venkatagiri municipality, 92 candidates are contesting the 32 wards. In Sullurpeta municipality, TDP has won two of the 32 wards unopposed, while 78 candidates are contesting the remaining 30 wards.

In Chittoor district, the alliance parties have secured 74 unopposed victories across the 60 divisions of the Chittoor Municipal Corporation and 108 wards in four municipalities.

In the Chittoor Municipal Corporation, six candidates are contesting for the mayor’s post, with the main contest centred on TDP candidate K Anuradha and YSRCP candidate Ramaswamy Chandrasekhar. The alliance has won 51 of the 60 divisions unopposed, while 47 candidates are contesting the remaining nine divisions.

In Nagari municipality, TDP has won the chairperson’s post unopposed and secured four of the 40 wards without a contest. The remaining 36 wards have 109 candidates in the fray.

In Palamaner municipality, three candidates are contesting for the chairperson’s post. TDP has won six of the 36 wards unopposed, while 64 candidates are contesting the remaining 30 wards.

In Kuppam municipality, TDP has secured 13 of the 32 wards unopposed. The remaining 19 wards have 52 candidates in the fray, while the contest for the chairperson’s post is also underway.

In Annamayya district, TDP has secured the chairperson’s post in Rayachoti municipality unopposed and won all 34 wards without a contest. In Punganur municipality, the alliance has won 32 of the 36 wards unopposed. The chairperson’s post has also been secured unopposed.

In Madanapalle municipality, nine candidates are contesting for the chairperson’s post. TDP has won one of the 48 wards unopposed, while 132 candidates are contesting the remaining 47 wards.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Pradeep Vennelakanti

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