MANGALAGIRI (GUNTUR DIST.): The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) split has come to the advantage of the Congress in the weaving community-dominated municipality during the coming elections.

The Congress enters the race for sixth council since 1971 with three victories in the past to its credit, while the Communist Party of India (CPI) and TDP had won once each in 1981 and 1995. Whichever be the party, the chairperson is always a person from the weaver community and in the current election this is not going to change.

The Congress with 11 wards and its alliance partner CPI with 5 were ahead of its combined opposition of TDP-10 and BJP-2 in the 28-member council headed by the Congress BC-Woman chairperson, Kandru Kamala. The number of wards has now increased to 32 following the delimitation and it is the only municipality in the district where Chairperson's post has been left unreserved.

The BJP is contesting on its own from 10 wards, while it has some strength only in three wards and the TDP has put candidates in all the 32 wards. The former Minister's son Madala Rajendra is leading the TDP campaign and expects to win majority of seats despite having no alliance with the BJP.

Chairperson's post

The party has not yet announced its candidate for the chairperson's post, but Nandam Abbadhaiah, a textile businessman from weaving community contesting from Ward No.24, is the most likely candidate. A Congress councillor of the 5th council, Rafi has jumped into the TDP and is contesting on behalf of that party.

The Zilla Parishad Chairperson, Pathuri Nagabhushnam, hailing from Peda Vadlapudi in Mangalagiri Assembly constituency, has been made in-charge of Chilakaluripet municipality, but his presence in Mangalagiri could improve the party winning chances feel some party workers. The Mangalagiri MLA, Murugudu Hanumantha Rao, who was elected the chairperson of the municipality in 1987, is single-handedly bringing together all the three power centres within the Congress to present a formidable challenge.

The alliance with the CPI has been finalised except for one seat in Ward No.15.

The CPI has asked for 9 wards while the Congress has so far agreed for 8, discussions are on for the remaining one seat.

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