TDP picks JB Srinivas as Tirupati mayor candidate

Tirupati: Ending days of suspense over the allocation of Tirupati Mayor post among NDA partners, TDP has finalised its Tirupati constituency in-charge, Manne Srinivasa Prasad, popularly known as JB Srinivas, as its candidate for Mayor’s post.

The decision follows negotiations within the NDA alliance over the distribution of municipal posts. TDP leaders reportedly convinced the party high command that the party should be given the opportunity to contest Tirupati Mayor election, particularly as its alliance partner, Jana Sena, represents Tirupati Assembly constituency.

As part of the seat-sharing arrangement, TDP will contest chairperson posts in 11 of the 12 municipalities in the erstwhile Chittoor district, while Jana Sena has been allotted Puttur municipality. With the beginning of nomination process on Friday, focus has shifted to selecting candidates for councillor, Mayor and municipal chairperson posts. With nominations scheduled to close on Sunday, the party leadership is expected to finalise the remaining candidates by Friday night.

Several TDP leaders had lobbied for Tirupati Mayor ticket, with a section of the party initially expecting a candidate from Yadava community to be fielded. However, intense competition among aspirants from the community, coupled with indications that some contenders might not cooperate if another candidate was selected, reportedly complicated the selection process.

The issue was eventually referred to the party high command, which chose JB Srinivas, a member of Balija community and TDP’s Tirupati constituency in-charge. His selection brings an end to the uncertainty over the party’s nominee for the prestigious municipal post. Now, speculations are rife that YSRCP may field Bhumana Abhinay Reddy as its nominee.

Meanwhile, the race for Chittoor Corporation Mayor post continues, with the position reserved for the BC General category and several leaders seeking the TDP ticket. Former Chittoor Market Committee chairman Kajuru Balaji is seeking the nomination for his wife, Drakshayini, who belongs to Ediga community. CHUDA chairperson Kathari Hemalatha is also aspiring for the post. Lavanya, wife of former MLA CK Babu and a member of BC community, is another contender. The name of CR Rajan, chairman of Vanniyakula Kshatriya Corporation, has also emerged among the potential candidates for Chittoor Mayor post.

Meanwhile, several aspirants for councillor posts across municipalities filed their nominations on Friday, considering it an auspicious day. The final allocation of wards and divisions among NDA partners is expected to determine which candidates will remain in the contest and who may have to withdraw their nominations.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Pradeep Vennelakanti

[email protected]