Andhra Pradesh: Rebels and a shared symbol deal the NDA a double whammy

A blow to the tripartite coalition came when a number of renegade candidates from the TDP, BJP, and Jana Sena chose to keep running for office by refusing to withdraw their nominations. The parties suffered yet another setback when independent candidates in a number of seats received the “Glass,” the JSP’s electoral emblem. It is anticipated that this would impede the seamless exchange of votes across the alliance members.

 

Since the “Glass” is a well-known election symbol, several independent candidates ran for it when the Election Commission of India declared it to be a free symbol. The EC retained “Glass” as a free symbol in the remaining seats, with the exception of the 21 Assembly and the two Lok Sabha segments from where the JSP candidates are running. Remarkably, a few dissidents from the TDP also received the Glass emblem.

TDP rebels were still in the running in many Assembly seats, including Undi, Vizianagaram, Madugula, Kavali, and Amalapuram, when the deadline for withdrawing nominations expired on Monday. Siva Rama Raju, an Undi native who wanted to run on the TDP platform, declined to revoke his candidacy. He is predicted to somewhat weaken TDP contender K Raghu Rama Krishna Raju’s support base.

The TDP then suspended the six rebels who continued to fight against the party position.~

Suspended are Meesala Gita, Venkata Sivarama Raju, and four more.

Among the suspended leaders are J Rajasekhar (Satyavedu), M Surya Chandra Rao (Polavaram), P Syam Kumar (Amalapuram), Meesala Gita (Vizianagaram), and Siveri Abraham (Araku).

Meesala Gita, a former MLA, will face Aditi Gajapathi Raju, a TDP contender. Among the leaders who received the “Glass” sign was Gita. TDP dissident Ramanaidu, a native of Madugula, is going to challenge former minister Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy.

However, Patakam Suryachandra, a JSP renegade running as an independent from the Jaggampeta seat, also received the “Glass” emblem. Three independents competed for the “Glass,” and Suryachandra was chosen by lottery by the authorities.

In a similar vein, BJP leader Paripurnanda Swamy chose to stand in the Hindupur Assembly seat rather than withdraw his candidacy. Swamy had ambitions to run as an MP or MLA from Hindupur. Swamy and TDP candidate N Balakrishna will square off.

According to sources, independent candidates from Madanapalli, Srikalahasti Chandragiri, Raptadu, Kavali, Kamalapuram, and a few other Assembly seats were given the “Glass” emblem.