JSP to contest from eight seats in Nellore local body polls

After several discussions and negotiations among the NDA alliance partners within the Nellore Municipal Corporation (NMC) limits, eight divisions were allocated to Jana Sena Party (JSP) and six to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to contest in the upcoming local body elections.

According to the sources, NMC divisions 6, 15, 21, and 71 have been allocated to the JSP, while divisions 7, 13, and 60 have been  allocated to the BJP in Nellore City constituency. In Nellore Rural constituency, divisions 29, 30, 45, and 53 have been allocated to the JSP, while divisions 31, 42, and 43 have been allocated to the BJP.

Several heated arguments erupted among the JSP leaders during the distribution of B-forms in the city. JSP State general secretary and Andhra Pradesh MSME Development Corporation Chairman Tammireddy Siva Sankara Rao visited the city on Tuesday and held discussions with the candidates who submitted their nominations.

Claiming that he was acting unilaterally and failing to properly allocate the seats intended for JSP candidates, some members expressed strong objections. A female party activist questioned him and reportedly assaulted him. Later, the JSP leader clarified that no physical attack had occured.

District-level JSP leaders Mannemala Sukumar Reddy, Duggishetti Sujay Babu, Chittaluru Sundara Babu, Gunukula Kishore, Noone Mallikarjuna Yadav, and others held a meeting with TDP district president Beeda Ravichandra and Nellore Rural MLA Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy. They reportedly insisted for a 30% share in the 72 divisions in NMC.

However, they agreed to a list of only 10 seats during the discussions led by JSP State leader and APTDCO Chairman Vemulapati Ajay Kumar with MA&UD Minister Ponguru Narayana and Nellore Rural MLA Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy. This allegedly brought joy among the leaders and party workers of both TDP and JSP.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Ajay Kumar said, “JSP leaders have received instructions from the high command not to accept anything less than 30% of the seats. In the presence of Minister Narayana, the negotiations took place and the final decision was made by offering eight seats and two candidates on co-option.”