Campaign in local body elections intensified in Srikakulam district with the completion of nomination process on Thursday. Festive atmosphere was seen at Zilla Parishad office with the arrival of candidates and activists of all the parties. All the major parties have fielded strong candidates for 38 ZPTC and 675 MPTC seats. As many as 120 nominations for ZPTCs and 1,400 for MPTCs were filed. Sources said the Congress party could not find candidates at many places with the impact of bifurcation issue.
Many second-rung leaders of the Congress joined other parties such as the Telugu Desam and the YSR Congress in the district, causing embarrassment to the party. Union Minister of State for Communication and Technology Killi Kruparani and former minister Kondru Muralimohan tried their level best to identify candidates who can give tough fight in rural areas. The TDP is in upbeat mood hoping that it would win Zilla Parishad chairperson seat by winning majority ZPTCs in the district. However, infighting has become a major concern for the party.
TDP Srikakulam president Chowdary Babji and former minister Kala Venkata Rao have reportedly stepped up pressure on the party high command for the allocation of ZP chairperson’s post for their family members. Mr.Babji wanted the post either for his wife Dhanalakshmi or daughter Chaitnya. Mr.Venkata Rao has sought the post for his brother’s wife Kimidi Mrunalani, the former ZP chairperson.
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YSRC Srikakulam former convener Dharmana Padmapriya and other potential candidates are contesting for ZPTCs. The party is hopeful to win majority seats with the one to one fight with the TDP in a majority of places.