The contest is mainly between the BJP and Congress in Telangana and a clean path for NDA in Andhra with the YSRCP in Andhra Pradesh and the BRS in Telangana both opting out of the polls.
Published Feb 26, 2025 | 12:01 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 26, 2025 | 11:02 AM
Synopsis: Campaigning for the Member of Legislative Council (MLC) elections in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana concluded on 25 February, with polling set to take place on 3 March. The elections will see a battle for the graduates’ seat between the BJP and Congress, with BRS opting out of the polls in Telangana.
Campaigning for the upcoming Member of Legislative Council (MLC) elections for three seats each in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh came to a close on the evening of Tuesday, 25 February. Polling is scheduled for 3 March 2025.
In Telangana, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress are locked in a close battle for the graduates’ seat.
The chief opposition parties in each state, the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party in Andhra Pradesh and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi in Telangana, have both opted out of the elections.
The three MLC seats up for election in Andhra Pradesh are:
TDP candidate Alapati Rajendra Prasad is contesting from the Krishna-Guntur Graduates’ Constituency with the support of Jana Sena and the BJP.
Meanwhile, Perabathula Rajasekhar, backed by the NDA, is contesting from the East Godavari-West Godavari Graduates’ Constituency.
BJP Andhra Pradesh president D Purandeswari, in a statement on Tuesday, urged voters to support Alapati, calling him an experienced leader who can raise the voice of graduates and employees in the council.
“We have seen the previous government make many promises to unemployed youth but fail to fulfil them.
After the alliance government came into power, priority is being given to providing employment. Graduates should elect Alapati to pave the way for securing their rights,” she said.
Alapati had aspired for a TDP ticket from Tenali in the recent Assembly elections but was asked to wait after the seat was given to Jana Sena as part of the alliance.
The party fielded Nandendla Manohar, who won the election and became a minister. To compensate, Alapati was promised a berth in the council.
Similarly, Perabathula Rajasekhar had sought the TDP ticket for the Kakinada Rural Assembly seat, but it was allotted to Jana Sena as part of the alliance.
Jana Sena fielded P Nanaji, who won the seat. In fulfilment of the promise made during the Assembly elections, Perabathula has now been given the TDP ticket for the MLC seat.
In Telangana, the three seats up for election are:
The BJP has fielded candidates for both teachers’ constituencies and the graduates’ constituency. Meanwhile, the Congress has nominated educationist V Narender Reddy for the graduates’ seat.
The contest for the graduates’ seat has intensified, with both the BJP and Congress leaving no stone unturned. The Congress is striving to retain the seat, while BJP’s C Anji Reddy is determined to wrest it from the Congress’ hold.
For the teachers’ constituencies, the BJP has fielded Molka Komariah and Puli Sarotham Reddy.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
