Amaravati

The TDP-led NDA on Tuesday in Andhra Pradesh decided not to contest the MLC bye-election for the Visakhapatnam Local Authorities constituency. TDP President and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu made the announcement during a teleconference with party and alliance leaders. Naidu emphasized that while winning the election was not the main concern, maintaining the alliance’s dignity was important.

This decision follows a report from a six-member committee, which Naidu had formed to consult with grassroots leaders from the TDP, JSP, and BJP. The last date for filing nominations is August 13. Former minister Botsa Satyanarayana has filed his nomination as the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) candidate. Although Byra Dileep Chakravarthy’s name was suggested as the NDA candidate, Naidu chose not to field a candidate.

The YSRCP is confident of winning, as over 500 of the 838 electors in Visakhapatnam District are from their party. The bypoll is set for August 30 to fill the vacancy left by the disqualification of Chennuboina Srinivasa Rao. Rao was disqualified in March under the anti-defection law after leaving YSRCP to join JSP.

So far, two nominations have been filed: Botsa Satyanarayana for YSRCP and Sheikh Shafiullah as an Independent. Satyanarayana, a senior leader and former minister, has previously served in various capacities and joined YSRCP in 2015 after the state’s bifurcation.