TDP-led alliance secures 17 municipal chairperson posts uncontested in Andhra local polls

Andhra Pradesh's ruling alliance has demonstrated strong political momentum across the state, winning 17 chairperson positions in municipalities and nagar panchayats uncontested ahead of local body elections.

The State Election Commission confirmed the results on Monday following the completion of nomination withdrawals. Of the 17 urban local body chairperson posts declared unopposed, 15 went to the Telugu Desam Party, with the Jana Sena Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party securing one each.

The victories underline substantial grassroots backing for the ruling coalition, particularly across the Rayalaseema region, which accounted for 11 of the 17 uncontested chairperson posts. The alliance also achieved unopposed successes across Palnadu district, where it secured three chairperson posts, alongside two in the erstwhile Prakasam region.

In YSR Kadapa district, the coalition swept all four municipalities and two nagar panchayats without a contest. In Proddatur, TDP candidates won 51 of the 52 municipal wards unopposed, while a BJP candidate secured the remaining ward. In Badvel, the TDP took 35 of the 40 wards unopposed, with the Jana Sena taking two and Independents winning two. In Kamalapuram Nagar Panchayat, the alliance secured all 23 wards without a contest.

Individual appointments announced by election officials include Shaik Babavali in Piduguralla, Nelavelli Bollaiah in Gurajala, Tangella Srinivasa Rao in Dachepalli, Atchala Tirupathamma in Kanigiri, E.N. Sreenivasan in Nagari, Nayim Taj in Punganur, Shaik Khadar Vali in Rayachoti, Dontham Gayathri in Rajampet, Nandyala Raghava Reddy in Proddatur, Somesula Divya Teja in Badvel, Dhanapala Jagan in Mydukur, Gongal Reddy Swapna in Kamalapuram, G.R. Tamila Selvi in Gooty, Shaik Anisha in Allagadda, and Avula Govinda Rajulu in Atmakuru for the TDP. Daram Subba Rao secured Darsi for the Jana Sena Party, while Gorla Madhu Latha took Yerraguntla for the BJP.

The State Election Commission managed the nomination process under revised timelines following Supreme Court directions. Nominations were reopened for 48 hours in specific areas, including Kadapa Municipal Corporation, Rajampet Municipality, Mydukur Municipality, and Tirupati Municipal Corporation, ensuring that all procedural guidelines were fully observed.

Voting for the remaining contested seats across 100 urban local bodies, including 13 municipal corporations, will take place on November 1, with official counting and final results set for November 3.