In a stunning display of resilience and determination, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) emerged victorious in Andhra Pradesh’s local body by-elections, overcoming a barrage of conspiracies, kidnappings, violence, intimidation, and inducements orchestrated by the ruling coalition leaders. Despite the coalition’s desperate attempts to manipulate the electoral process, YSRCP candidates stood firm, securing key positions and delivering a powerful message of defiance against underhanded politics. However, a shadow looms over these victories, with critics warning that democracy in the state teeters on the brink of peril.
YSRCP Shines in Kadapa ZP Victory
In the Kadapa district, YSRCP ZPTC member Rama Govinda Reddy clinched the Zilla Parishad (ZP) Chairman post with a resounding victory, elected unopposed. The coalition’s last-ditch efforts to stall the election through court intervention failed miserably, as the High Court ruled that the by-election could not be halted. Out of 50 ZPTC seats in the YSR district Parishad, YSRCP had swept 49 in the 2021 elections. Even after some defections, the party retained a commanding 42 members. The previous ZP Chairman, Akepati Amarnath Reddy, vacated the seat after winning an MLA position, paving the way for Thursday’s by-election, where YSRCP once again asserted its dominance.
TDP district president publicly conceded defeat, admitting their lack of strength to contest, yet coalition leaders still sought to block the process legally with their lone ZPTC member. The court’s clarity dashed their hopes, leaving them silent as YSRCP claimed the ZP throne.
Sweeping success in Mandal parishad By-Elections
The YSRCP wave extended to Mandal Parishad (MPP) by-elections across the state, with candidates securing victories despite fierce opposition. Here’s a breakdown of their triumphs:
- NTR District’s Nandigama: Pesara Velli Ramadevi won the MPP seat as TDP members boycotted the election.
- Sri Sathya Sai District’s Roddam: Nagamma secured a victory.
- Prakasham District’s Markapuram: Bandi Lakshmidevi was elected as MPP.
- Anantapur’s Kambadur: Kuruba Lakshmidevi won unopposed.
- Kurnool’s Tuggali: Rachapati Ramanjamma triumphed, backed by 16 MPTCs.
- Tirupati Rural: Moolam Chandramohan emerged victorious with the support of 33 MPTCs.
- Prakasham’s Tripurantakam: Alla Subbamma was elected MPP.
- Chittoor’s Tavanampalli: Patnam Pratap Reddy won unopposed.
- Khajipeta’s Vice MPP: Mummadi Swapna claimed the position.
- Anakapalli’s Narsipatnam Constituency: Ruthala Sarveswara Rao, supported by former MLA Petla Uma Shankar Ganesh and 10 YSRCP MPTCs, won unopposed as TDP retreated due to lack of numbers.
- Kurnool’s Veldurthi: Desai Lakshmidevi was elected unopposed.
- Prakasham’s PV Palem: Sitaramaraju took the MPP seat.
- Nellimarla’s Vice MPP: YSRCP secured the position.
- Anakapalli’s V Madugula, Devarapalli, Makavarapalem, and Payakaraopeta: YSRCP won MPP posts in all four areas.
- Mummidivaram’s Katrenikona: YSRCP claimed the MPP seat.
- Rajole’s Sakhinetipalli: YSRCP emerged victorious.
- Nandigama: MPP win for YSRCP.
- Prattipadu: YSRCP secured the MPP post.
- Bapatla’s Pittalavanipalem: YSRCP won the MPP seat.
- Pattikonda’s Tuggali: YSRCP reaffirmed its hold with an MPP victory.
- Kalyandurgam: YSRCP took the MPP position.
- Rayadurgam’s Kanekal: YSRCP won the MPP seat.
- Penukonda’s Roddam: YSRCP claimed victory.
- Punganur’s Sadum: YSRCP secured the MPP post.
- Puthapattu’s Tavanampalli: YSRCP won unopposed.
- Tirupati Rural: YSRCP reaffirmed its dominance with an MPP win.
- Chandragiri: YSRCP took the MPP seat.
- Vice MPP Wins: YSRCP further solidified its grip with victories in Rayadurgam, Tadipatri’s Peddapaparru, Singanamala’s Ellanuru, Uravakonda, Erragondapalem, Rayachoti, and Nagari’s Vijayapuram.
These victories underscore YSRCP’s widespread support and resilience, cementing its hold across Andhra Pradesh’s local bodies.
Coalition’s thuggery backfires
The coalition’s strong-arm tactics, ranging from kidnappings and assaults to intimidation and inducements, failed to dent YSRCP’s resolve. In Palnadu’s Narasaraopet, the Vice MPP election was postponed after YSRCP boycotted it, protesting police and TDP leaders’ conduct, with only five of 17 members present despite YSRCP’s full sweep of seats. In YSR district’s Proddatur, TDP MLA Varadarajulu Reddy’s faction attacked YSRCP ward members with stones during the Gopavaram Deputy Sarpanch by-election, injuring several, including women. Bogus ID cards were also reportedly used by TDP to infiltrate the process, though police intervened.
In West Godavari’s Attili (15/15 YSRCP), TDP’s lack of numbers didn’t stop them from plotting chaos near former minister Karumuri’s residence, confining MPTCs while police turned a blind eye. Chittoor’s Ramakuppam (16/16 YSRCP) saw TDP goons block YSRCP MPTCs under police protection, even snatching journalists’ phones. In Karnataka’s Rajupeta Road, TDP halted an escorted YSRCP MPTC convoy, sparking tension. In Kovvur’s Vidavaluru (12/14 YSRCP), TDP coerced an ST candidate to claim victory.
Dirty tricks secure few wins for Coalition
Despite their misconduct, the coalition managed isolated victories through questionable means. In Palnadu’s Achampeta, TDP snatched the MPP seat after kidnapping and intimidating a YSRCP MPTC and her husband, forcing their allegiance. Swarnamma won with nine MPTC votes. In Ramakuppam, TDP claimed victory despite having no MPTCs, intimidating six YSRCP members into submission.
In Kakinada Rural (15/18 YSRCP), Janasena’s Anantha Lakshmi won unopposed as eight YSRCP MPTCs boycotted. East Godavari’s Bikkavolu (20/20 YSRCP) fell to BJP through inducements, while Guntur’s Duggirala and Alluri’s G Madugula went to the coalition amid YSRCP abstentions. In West Godavari’s Yelamanchili (14/17 YSRCP), TDP and Janasena forced a postponement through pressure on officials, prompting a sit-in protest by YSRCP members. In Anakapalli’s Sabbavaram (15/19 YSRCP), TDP somehow prevailed, raising eyebrows.
Democracy in Peril
Critics argue that Andhra Pradesh’s democracy hangs in the balance, with the coalition accused of flouting norms to cling to power. From municipal to local body by-elections, allegations of “red book” authoritarianism, violence, coercion, and misuse of police and government machinery, paint a grim picture. “The state has never seen such abuse of power,” a YSRCP leader lamented, claiming democracy bowed its head in shame.
YSRCP leaders question TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu’s stance on resignations before defections, asking if he followed his own preached ethics in these polls. In areas like Maidukuru (10/13 YSRCP), Rajampet (9/9 YSRCP), and Eluru Rural (11/11 YSRCP), YSRCP held overwhelming majorities, sometimes 100% of seats, yet faced coalition challenges through foul play. In Kaikaluru (21/22 YSRCP), TDP’s conspiracies persisted, while in Kavali’s Dagadarthi (11/11 YSRCP), orchestrated clashes stalled the Vice MPP election. Anantapur’s Raptadu (9/10 YSRCP) saw police file false cases and TDP abduct an MPTC, postponing the vote.
Even in Naidu’s constituency of Ramakuppam, where YSRCP held all 16 seats, TDP declared victory amid chaos. “Is this the extent of desperation for a single MPP post?” a YSRCP spokesperson asked, accusing Naidu of thuggery and power misuse.
YSRCP’s defiant stand
Amid this chaos, YSRCP’s victories underscore their unwavering spirit. From Kadapa’s ZP to multiple MPPs and Vice MPPs, the party’s candidates fought tooth and nail, proving their mettle against a coalition accused of stooping to thuggery. Under Jaganmohan Reddy’s leadership, YSRCP stood firm, refusing to bow to the coalition’s arrogance and upholding honesty and values. As they celebrate wins across Nellimarla, Anakapalli, and beyond, YSRCP’s fight against Naidu’s tyranny signals a fierce battle for democracy’s soul in Andhra Pradesh.
