Amaravati: The speculation that the ruling alliance partners could change their seat-sharing arrangement in the upcoming Andhra Pradesh local body elections appears to have subsided. According to political circles, the TDP and Jana Sena leaderships have decided to continue with the existing alliance formula while maintaining coalition discipline.
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan met Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu at his residence on the Undavalli Karakatta on Tuesday morning. The two leaders reportedly held detailed discussions for nearly two hours. Following the meeting, alliance coordination committee representatives Palla Srinivas and Nimmala Ramanaidu also reportedly briefed the Chief Minister on the views and demands of the alliance partners.
TDP 80%, Jana Sena 15%, BJP 5% Formula
According to reports circulating in political circles, senior leaders of the TDP and Jana Sena have broadly agreed to continue with the seat-sharing formula proposed during the general elections.
Under the reported arrangement, the TDP would contest 80% of the seats, Jana Sena 15%, and BJP 5% in the local body elections. The formula was reportedly prepared as part of the alliance coordination strategy under the leadership of TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh.
The continuation of the old formula is likely to disappoint sections of the Jana Sena cadre, who had expected the party to receive a larger share of seats based on its growing political strength at the grassroots level.
Jana Sena Leaders Seek More Seats
Jana Sena leaders and cadres had reportedly expected an increase in their share of seats in the Andhra Pradesh local body elections, arguing that the party’s strength and electoral prospects had improved since the alliance came to power.
However, reports suggesting that Jana Sena may remain limited to the earlier 15% allocation have triggered disappointment among sections of the party.
Local leaders are particularly unhappy in areas where Jana Sena has a strong organisational presence and believes it has a realistic chance of winning. They reportedly feel that applying the old alliance ratio in such constituencies could restrict the party’s opportunities.
TDP Likely to Get Majority of Municipal Seats
The seat-sharing discussions are also significant for major municipalities and municipal corporations across Andhra Pradesh. With the TDP expected to receive the largest share under the reported formula, the party could contest a majority of the available seats.
This could leave Jana Sena representation limited in several key urban local bodies, despite the party’s demand for a larger role in areas where it has elected representatives and stronger grassroots support.
Jana Sena, BJP Demands Discussed
The alliance coordination committee reportedly informed Chandrababu Naidu about the demands being raised by the alliance partners.
According to media reports, Jana Sena has sought the chairperson post and around 50% of corporator seats in local bodies where its MLAs represent the constituency.
The BJP’s approach is reportedly different. Party leaders are said to be seeking chairperson positions and corporator seats in areas where the BJP does not have an MLA, with the objective of strengthening the party’s organisational base in those regions.
The final seat-sharing arrangements are expected to determine the political balance among the TDP, Jana Sena and BJP ahead of the Andhra Pradesh local body elections.
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