Nandyal bypoll: TDP & YSRC in a high stake battle ahead of 2019 general elections

The Nandyal assembly by-election in Andhra Pradesh currently underway is a high-stake battle between the ruling Telugu Desam Party and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP). The 2.19 lakh voters of Nandyal Assembly constituency in Kurnool district will in many ways set the tone for the 2019 general elections that are due in May.

For the first time, Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system is being used in the by-election, where there are 255 polling stations. Also, 3,500 security personnel including six companies of the central armed forces, have been deployed to oversee the security arrangements in the poll. Also, 82 flying squads are keeping a strict vigil according to Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwar Lal.

The bypoll became necessary after the death of sitting MLA Bhuma Nagi Reddy, who won the seat by a margin of 3,600 votes as YSRC candidate in 2014 but switched over to the TDP in February 2016.

While YSR Congress has fielded former minister Silpa Chandra Mohan Reddy, Telugu Desam has put up Bhuma Reddy’s nephew Brahmananda Reddy to cash the sympathy vote. Congress’ Gaddam Abdul Kaddar is also in the race. The Rayalaseema Parirakshana Samiti, an unregistered political outfit, also fielded its candidate B Pullaiah as an independent and he might eat into the votes of both the TDP and the YSRC.

In all, 15 candidates are in the fray but the principal fight is between the YSRC and TDP candidates. Incidentally, the ruling TDP did not win in the previous three general elections. While YSR Congress Chief Jagan Mohan Reddy himself led the campaign, TDP Chief and Chief Minister Chnadrababu Naidu held repeated road shows. The campaign had often turned mury with both sides attacking each other sharply.