NDA Sweeps Andhra Pradesh Municipal Elections Amid Violence
The TDP-led National Democratic Alliance won 2,454 of 2,866 municipal wards in Andhra Pradesh, while YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged large-scale irregularities.
The Telugu Desam Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won a sweeping victory in the Andhra Pradesh municipal elections, securing 2,454 of the 2,866 declared wards. The alliance achieved clean sweeps in Kuppam and Macherla and recorded significant wins in Tirupati and the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation. Minister Nara Lokesh characterized the result as a mandate to serve the citizenry.
Early counting showed the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) leading in several municipalities, including Uyuru, Tuni, Nidadavole, and Narsapur, with mayoral candidate Ramesh Goud leading in the Anantapur Municipal Corporation. However, the party ultimately suffered a major setback. YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy condemned the results, alleging large-scale irregularities in nominations, polling, and counting, stating, "These are no longer elections but selections!"
The elections were marked by conflict and controversy. In the Pulivendula area of Kadapa district, clashes between TDP and YSRCP supporters led to arson and attacks on journalists, prompting the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission to order repolling at several stations. In Kalyandurg, YSRCP leaders accused family members of TDP MLA Amilineni Surendra Babu of unfairly demanding recounts only in wards won by YSRCP candidates. Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) secured a victory in Ward 105 of Visakhapatnam, a result linked to local concerns over the privatization of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.
