2,536 file nominations for 358 municipal wards in Anantapur dist

Anantapur: District Election Officer Gandham Chandrudu and Election Observer Harshavardhan and Expenditure Observer Sunil Kumar Reddy, in a joint statement, warned against the persons who indulge in threats and attacks and forcing the other candidates to withdraw from the contest. Indulging in such threats and intimidation is a serious crime. Victims of such threats can alert the election officers concerned and drastic action will be taken against them, they said.

For the 358 municipal wards, 2,536 persons filed their nominations as ward members for all the 8 municipalities, 2 Nagara Panchayats and the lone Anantapur Municipal Corporation. With another 48 hour-gap for withdrawal of nominations, the prospective candidates are keeping their fingers crossed on the final list of official candidates, as 'B' forms have not been given to any candidate by any political party.

Of course, some of those who filed nominations may remain in fray as rebels if 'B' forms are denied to them. Candidates can withdraw their nominations by Monday 3 pm. For the Anantapur Municipal Corporation 516 are in the fray for 50 divisions. Partywise 152 YSRCP candidates, 94 TDP candidates, 18 BJP and 15 Congress Party candidates had filed nominations. Besides 18 Jana Sena, 5 each of MIM, CPI and CPM candidates filed nominations while 3 BSP candidates and 57 independent candidates also filed nominations. Local ex- MLA Prabhakar Choudhury who at one time had control over the corporation had fielded his supporters. Also, J C Diwakar Reddy fielded 15 of his supporters in the corporation elections in a bid to check his rival Prabhakar Choudhury.

Interestingly ex-MLA Tadipatri J C Prabhakar Reddy filed his nomination as councillor from ward number 30. He actually served as municipal chairman prior to his election as MLA in 2014. Talking to 'The Hans India' Prabhakar said that he has no qualms over contesting as councillor after serving as MLA.

Meanwhile the District Election Officer and Collector Gandham Chandrudu has appealed to the voters and political parties to extend their cooperation for conducting the polls in a peaceful manner.