The election campaign for the ensuing municipal corporation elections in Andhra Pradesh ended with a war of words of parties. Though the elections are for local bodies, all major politicians, including N. Chandrababu Naidu, participated in it. The ruling YSRCP is upbeat following the results of the recent panchayat elections. On the other hand, the TDP has campaigned in all municipalities and corporations. Polling on 10 March will be held for 12 corporations and 75 municipalities in the state. Votes will be counted on 14 March. In that backdrop, the ministers increased the momentum of the campaign on the last day, challenging rivals and expressing confidence that they will win.
The Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation is crucial for the YSRCP since it is going to be made the executive capital for the state.
YSRCP MP Vijaya Sai Reddy said: “While dynamic Chief Minister Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy was making efforts to make Visakhapatnam the executive capital of Andhra Pradesh, Telugu Desam Party president N. Chandrababu Naidu was trying to stall it by hook or crook.
Visakhapatnam is most suited to being the executive capital. The people are peace loving and Vizag will be made the executive capital for certain.”
He said Naidu has no right to seek votes as he is opposed to decentralised development and the municipal elections will sound the death knell for the TDP. Reddy said: “The YSRCP had won almost 90% of the seats in the recently held gram panchayat elections. It would maintain the same record in the elections to the GVMC and other urban local bodies in the state.”
The State Election Commission has already made arrangements for polling and has set up tight surveillance following complaints about distribution of money and alcohol. Except Andhra Chief Minister, all the top leaders from the respective parties went to the voters and asked them to vote for their candidates. Deputy CMs, TDP president Chandrababu Naidu and Nara Lokesh also campaigned.