Kakinada to vote a day after Nandyal results: Kakinada Municipal Corporation elections

Wrapping up his party’s campaigning for KMC elections, the TDP chief compared Jagan Mohan Reddy with Dera chief in Haryana.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu addressing the gathering during corporation election campaign in Kakinada on Sunday
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu addressing the gathering during corporation election campaign in Kakinada on Sunday

KAKINADA: Curtains came down on election campaigning for the Kakinada Municipal Corporation (KMC) elections at 5 p.m. on Sunday. The election will be held on August 29 and the results will be announced after counting on September 1. It is after 12 years, the elections for KMC are being held. Last time, it was held in 2005 and the tenure of that elected body ended in 2010. Since then, it has been special officer regime.

After State Election Commission had issued notification for KMC elections on August 3, political parties including TDP, BJP, YSRC and Congress had fielded their candidates. Taking the election as an issue of prestige, as it would determine their popularity, top leaders of all those political parties made a beeline to Kakinada and for last one fortnight, the streets of the coastal city echoed with political speeches laced with promises to develop Kakinada like never before.

TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu camped in Kakinada for two days and chanted his development mantra. His speeches were a mixture of promises to Kakinada people and criticism of his arch nemesis YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. Wrapping up his party’s campaigning for KMC elections, the TDP chief compared Jagan Mohan Reddy with Dera chief in Haryana and called upon the people not to believe in such people.

YSRC president and Opposition Leader Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy addressing an election meeting | Express
YSRC president and Opposition Leader Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy addressing an election meeting | Express

“They will only lead you astray. TDP has always been for your best interest from the heart. Development of Kakinada as a smart city and one among the world’s top five cities will be our lone agenda,” he said. YSRC chief Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, who participated in the final day of the canvassing, lashed out at the ruling TDP and called the Chief Minister a big liar. He said not a single promise made in the election was kept by the TDP and further all the good work done during YSR regime was destroyed with dilution of several popular scheme.

He wondered what happened to several promises including Petroleum University, Petro Corridor, Smart City and described the ruling party as an insincere and dishonest party . “Don’t believe what they promise for they will never be honoured. Give your mandate to those people, who have concern for you and work to solve your problems,” he said.

Congress leaders including N Raghuveera Reddy and MM Pallam Raju canvassed for their party candidates. They called TDP a party of liars and demanded to know what happened to smart city and other development initiatives. They were also critical of YSRC.  Meanwhile, elaborate arrangements were made for the smooth conduct of KMC elections on August 29. A total 196 polling stations have been readied, where 2,38,710 voters including 1,21,083 women will be casting their vote to decide the fate of 241 candidates (121 independent) contesting elections.

TDP, which has a tie-up with BJP, is fielding 39 candidates while BJP is contesting nine seats. YSRC has fielded candidates for all 48 seats.  A total 1,155 polling staff including 216 presiding officers have been deployed for election duty. In view of the elections, security in the coastal city has been beefed up. To avoid any untoward incidents during elections, as many as 2,300 police personnel have been deployed in Kakinada. Two companies of Central Reserve forces were also deployed. Out of the total 196 polling stations, 52 have been identified as sensitive and 28 as hyper sensitive. Apart from CCTV cameras, drone cameras and body worn cameras are being used to keep an eye on the happenings at polling booths and also outside.

Timeline
2004 - Kakinada upgraded as Municipal Corporation
2005 - First elections held for upgraded civic body
2010 - Term of elected civic body completed
7 - Number of years since, Kakinada Municipal Corporation is under special officers rule
First Mayor  -  Kavikondala Saroja of Congress party
August 3 - Notification for Kakinada Municipal Corporation (KMC) issued
August 29 - Elections to be held
Out of 50 divisions of KMC elections to be held for only 48 due to a pending court case
Notification issued following writ petition filed in the High Court against State Election Commission officials for contempt of court

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com