Stage set for MLC elections in Andhra: TDP to contest 3; BJP, JSP one seat each

Amaravati: The stage is all set for the elections to five Legislative Council seats under MLA quota in Andhra Pradesh.

Under the seat-sharing agreement in the ruling alliance, TDP will contest three; the Jana Sena Party (JSP) and the BJP will contest one each.

TDP has fielded Beeda Ravi Chandra, B.T. Naidu, and Kavali Greeshma. Beeda and Naidu belong to the Backward Classes (BCs).

JSP has fielded Babu Konidela, while the BJP named Somu Veera Raju as its candidate.

The candidates filed their nomination papers before the Returning Officer and Deputy Secretary of the State Legislative Council.

TDP candidates:

Ravi Chandra, who was an MLC earlier, hails from the Nellore district. He has been in the TDP since the beginning of his political career.

B.T. Naidu, a native of the Kurnool district, is one of the four current MLCs.

Greeshma, a woman MLC candidate, is the daughter of Kavali Pratibha Bharati, former Speaker of the Legislative Assembly from the Srikakulam district.

Jana Sena:

Jana Sena Party president and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has announced his elder brother and party general secretary Konidela Nagababu as the party’s candidate.

This decision comes after Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu stated his intention to induct Naga Babu into the State Cabinet on December 9. Currently, Naga Babu is neither an MLA nor an MLC. So, he should be elected to either of the houses within six months.

Nagababu, a popular Tollywood actor, entered politics in 2009 through the Praja Rajyam Party, founded by his elder brother Chiranjeevi.

Later, he aligned with younger brother Pawan and became an active member of Jana Sena. He unsuccessfully contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Narasapuram. He remained involved in the party’s activities as its general secretary. He has been a strong pillar of support for his brother.

BJP:

Former MLC and former BJP state president Somu Veerraju's candidature has surprised many leaders in the party. A native of Katheru village in Rajamahendravaram Rural Mandal of East Godavari district, Somu Veerraju worked for RSS and ABVP during his student days. He had earlier served as a Member of the Legislative Council from 2015 to 2021. He was floor leader of the BJP in the Upper House.

Polling on March 20

The polling has been set for March 20, and the results will be declared on the same day. The 10 MLCs of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are due to retire on March 29.

As per the election schedule, nominations must be submitted between March 3 and 10. Nominations can be withdrawn by March 13. On March 20, polling will take place from 9 am to 4 pm, and votes will be counted at 5 pm on March 20.

In Andhra Pradesh, MLCs Krishna Murthy Janga, Duvvarapu Rama Rao, Parchuri Ashok Babu, B Tirumala Naidu, and Rama Krishnudu Yanamala will retire on March 29.