The polling for the Pulivendula and Ontimitta ZPTC by-elections has ended. Both ZPTC seats were earlier held by the YSR Congress. This time, the Pulivendula contest has turned into a fierce political battle, drawing attention from across Andhra Pradesh.
Since the introduction of ZPTC elections in 1995, Pulivendula has never seen a real contest. In 1995, 2001, 2006, 2013, and 2021, the seat went to the Congress or YSR Congress unopposed. Only in 2016 did the TDP field a candidate, who was later bought over by the YSR Congress after the nomination withdrawal deadline. Despite not having a candidate in the fray, the TDP still managed 2,750 votes out of the 8,500 polled in that election.
Determined not to back down this time, the TDP fielded a strong candidate—Marreddy Latha Reddy, wife of TDP in-charge B Tech Ravi. From day one, the YSR Congress found itself under pressure as the TDP aggressively campaigned. B Tech Ravi, Adinarayana Reddy, and MLC Bhumireddy Ram Gopal Reddy camped in Pulivendula to spearhead the campaign, with Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu personally monitoring the effort. At one point, the YSR Congress even considered boycotting the election but decided against it to avoid sending a negative signal.
On polling day, the YSR Congress leadership and cadres went all out in their attempt to secure a win. Reports emerged of bogus voting attempts and other irregularities, but tight police security and strict Election Commission oversight made such efforts difficult. Several preventive arrests were made in Pulivendula, and when the going got tough, the YSR Congress and its media ally Sakshi tried to push a narrative that the TDP was using brute force to win.
While the ground battle raged, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy was nowhere to be seen. Even though Pulivendula is his home constituency, he was not present to motivate party workers. In fact, he was not in Kadapa district or even in Andhra Pradesh—he was in Bengaluru. Party sources claimed he was giving instructions over the phone, but his absence left many leaders and cadres demoralised.
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