Nellore Mayor race sharpens as TDP and YSRCP weigh candidates
Nellore's mayoral contest is intensifying as the TDP and YSRCP weigh candidates, with the civic body now expanded to 72 divisions.
The contest for the Nellore Mayor's post is gathering pace ahead of the local body elections, with both the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) working to secure the high-profile civic seat.
The Nellore Municipal Corporation (NMC) has been expanded to 72 divisions from the 54 that existed during the previous elections, opening the field to a larger pool of aspirants on both sides.
The city falls across the Nellore City and Nellore Rural Assembly constituencies, represented by Municipal Administration Minister Ponguru Narayana and three-time MLA Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy respectively. Both leaders are seeking to win as many divisions as possible for their parties while also pressing their claim over the Mayor's post.
The TDP is understood to be inclined towards naming Deputy Mayor P. Roop Kumar Yadav as its mayoral candidate. Although the post is expected to be reserved for the Open Category, the party is weighing a Backward Class candidate as part of an effort to consolidate support among BC voters.
The YSRCP, meanwhile, is considering at least three names: former Seva Dal president M. Sudheer Kumar Reddy, A.C. Subba Reddy — son of former Congress MLA Anam Vivekananda Reddy — and political newcomer Radha Madhavi.
Mr. Sudheer entered politics in 2004 and has held several positions in the Congress, including president of the Nellore District Youth Congress and the Andhra Pradesh Seva Dal. He is believed to have maintained close access to Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy during the formative years of the YSRCP, particularly during the latter's 'Odarpu Yatra', and is said to have the backing of the politically influential Mekapati family.
A.C. Subba Reddy, a member of the influential Anam family, contested the 2014 elections from the Nellore Assembly constituency on a Congress ticket and was defeated amid strong anti-Congress sentiment following the bifurcation of the State.
Dr. Radha Madhavi, a leading medical professional, has also expressed interest in the mayoral post.
The YSRCP leadership has not officially confirmed any of the names and is awaiting directions from the party's top leadership. District president and former Minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy has emphasised party loyalty as a key consideration in selecting the "right candidate".
Adopting a wait-and-watch approach, the YSRCP is expected to let the TDP-led NDA reveal its candidate first.