The results to Nellore Municipal Corporation and 12 municipalities are out. The TDP, which campaigned vigorously to salvage its prestige, ended up badly bruised and mauled. The ruling YSRCP scored impressive victories across the state. Here are the five major takeaways from the election results:
RAYALASEEMA ROOTS FOR JAGAN: YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has shown his complete sway over Rayalaseema region. He has broken the back of the TDP in both Kuppam and Penugonda, which have never voted for any other party eve during the heyday of YS Rajasekhara Reddy. In both Kuppam, which is Chandrababu’s borough, and Penukonda, which was Paritala family’s citadel, YSRCP scored impressive victories. Kamalapuram, Betamcherla and Rajampet too returned YSRCP. The TDP washout is complete.
ALL IS NOT LOST FOR TDP: But it would be wrong to assume that all is lost for the TDP. TDP did well in the three municipalities in Krishna district. It tied with the YSRCP in Kondapalli and performed creditably well in Jaggayyapet. It has won decisively in Darsi of Prakasam district defeating the YSRCP. The victory is more convincing than the victory in Proddatur, which is largely credited to JC brothers. In Darsi, the three MLAs of the TDP – Eluru Sambasiva Rao, Ravi Kumar and Balanjaneyulu – worked for a common purpose. This united fight yielded results for the party.
TDP HAS A LONG WAY TO GO: Except for Krishna district, the TDP has a long distance to cover in AP. Dachepalli and Gurazala in Guntur, Buchireddypalem in Nellore and Akiveedu in West Godavari have rejected the TDP. The worst shock for the TDP is its inability to win even a single division in Nellore municipal corporation. Eight of the candidates had withdrawn from the contest at the last minute and thus these divisions were offered on a platter to the YSRCP. In the remaining 46 seats, it was a whitewash for the TDP.
JANA SENA, BJP NOWHERE IN PICTURE: Both Jana Sena and the BJP, which alliance partners, fought separately this time. It was a whitewash for the BJP. The party did not win even a single ward. Ditto with another national party – the Congress Party. Both the national parties have been washed away. The Jana Sena has, however, won two wards in the 12 municipalities. But, that’s not too encouraging for the party. These three parties will have to do some real serious rethink on their strategy.
FUEL PRICES A NON-ISSUE: The much touted petrol and diesel price hike is not an issue at all in these elections. The YSRCP posted these comfortable victories after openly announcing that it is not going to cut down on its share of the taxes on fuel. Despite that, the party won massive victories. So, fuel prices will not affect the electoral outcome at all.
