Published Oct 29, 2026 | 5:44 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 29, 2026 | 5:44 PM
Naidu instructed ministers to ensure that rebel candidates contesting against official nominees were suspended immediately.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President N. Chandrababu Naidu called on National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners to strictly adhere to coalition arrangements in the upcoming local body elections.
Following a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, October 29, the CM reportedly held detailed discussions with ministers on seat-sharing arrangements, rebel candidates and disputes among alliance partners. He directed them to work collectively to ensure the victory of NDA candidates and take strict action against party members contesting against official nominees.
Naidu said he had finalised seat-sharing arrangements in consultation with Jana Sena Party (JSP) chief Pawan Kalyan and BJP state president Madhav. He noted that they had jointly appealed to the public, party workers and leaders to ensure the victory of NDA candidates, and stressed that there can be no compromise on alliance discipline.
Naidu instructed ministers to ensure that rebel candidates contesting against official nominees were suspended immediately. Those who continued to contest against the party’s decision should be considered to have invited suspension, he said. He also asked ministers to resolve disputes between alliance partners without delay and maintain coordination throughout the election process.
The CM outlined the election schedule, stating that elections to urban local bodies, Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTCs) and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTCs) would be followed by panchayat elections. Elections to cooperative societies would be held subsequently.
Naidu made it clear that ministers would be held responsible for the victory of alliance candidates and asked them to focus not only on their respective constituencies but also on the districts for which they had been appointed in-charge.
He directed ministers to begin preparations immediately and said the government would focus fully on governance once the election process was completed.
Naidu expressed confidence that the development and welfare programmes implemented by the government over the past two-and-a-half years had generated a positive response among the people.
Also Read: AP MPTC, ZPTC poll schedule revised: Polling on 5 November, counting on 7 November
Chairing the Cabinet meeting on Thursday, Naidu said the damage caused by Cyclone Arnab in Andhra Pradesh was estimated at ₹4,563 crore. A central government team is expected to visit the state on October 30 to assess the damage, he informed the Cabinet.
The Cabinet also expressed condolences to those who lost their lives in the cyclone.
The chief minister announced that farmers affected by the cyclone would receive ₹6,000 under the assistance package, comprising ₹2,000 under the PM-KISAN scheme from the Centre and ₹4,000 from the state government. The state has released ₹3,120 crore towards its share, he said.
Minister Atchannaidu informed the Cabinet that several fishing boats had been destroyed in the cyclone. Naidu said assistance for affected fishermen should be considered with support from the Centre.
Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan claimed the government’s preparations and the chief minister’s continuous monitoring had helped officials respond promptly, reducing the loss of life and property. He praised the administration’s response to the crisis and said he would visit the East Godavari region on October 29 to review the situation.
Recalling the devastating Diviseema cyclone, which claimed thousands of lives, CM Naidu said the state had made significant progress in protecting people during natural disasters. However, he stressed that further efforts were needed to minimise casualties.
He noted that Rayalaseema had historically faced factional violence, while the coastal region remained vulnerable to frequent cyclones. Just as efforts had been made to curb factionalism and promote horticulture in Rayalaseema, he said the government was working to strengthen disaster preparedness and minimise loss of life and property along the coast.
After the meetings, the chief minister left to visit the cyclone-affected areas. He is scheduled to visit Cheyyeru village in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district, after which he will assess crop damage through an aerial survey covering parts of Krishna, West Godavari, and Konaseema districts.
The planned aerial survey will cover waterlogged agricultural fields in Nimmakuru, Pamarru, Bantumilli, Narasapuram, Palakollu, Amalapuram, and Katrenikona.
The chief minister is also scheduled to interact with farmers affected by the cyclone in Vetlapalem. He would visit the relief camp at Gachakayalapora to review the arrangements and speak to those taking shelter there.
Naidu said he would tour the twin Godavari districts and other affected areas over the next two days to assess the situation and review relief measures.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
