Despite having four MLA’s and a strong cadre at the grassroots level, the TDP’s poor performance in the first two legs of panchayat elections has left the party leadership baffled. Considering that the political pundits have termed this as a prelude for the 2014 elections, the results of panchayat polls have not brought cheers to the party leaders.
The TDP won Kavali, Gudur, Sullurpet and Venkatagiri constituencies and has strong cadre at Sarvepalle and Kovur constituencies. Despite this situation, the TDP could bag only 74 panchayaths in the first phase and their performance slumped further in the second phase with wins in 26 panchayats only.
It is learnt that party chief N Chandrababu Naidu has expressed his displeasure with the local leadership over the dismal performance.
According to reports, the party could register wins in nine out of the 104 panchayats in Atmakur constituency, 29 of the 114 in Udayagiri and 31 out of the 57 in Kavali in the first phase. These villages are located in Udayagiri and Atmakur constituencies, which are not held by the TDP.
In Sarvepalle, considered to be senior party leader S Chandramohan Reddy’s stronghold, the party could secure wins in 18 panchayats out of the 91 while in Kovur it managed a paltry 8 out of the 57 vilages that went to polls. In Rapur mandal, part of which comes under Venkatagiri constituency, the party could not even open its account.
Senior leaders of the party admitted that lack of coordination among the party leadership had resulted in the situation. Party leaders also admitted that the political understanding with the Congress at some panchayats to keep the YSRC away had also cost the party.