By The intense bargaining over seat distribution continues in the Andhra Pradesh ND Alliance ahead of the elections. Candidates and seat negotiations are still ongoing. Alongside party wrangling, caste equations are also at play. Jana Sena appears to be asserting itself more strongly than its allied parties.
TDP, BJP, and Jana Sena coalition in process of seat distribution..
In the run-up to the elections, the seat negotiations in the Andhra Pradesh ND Alliance are still unresolved. Candidates and seat allocations are yet to be finalized. Amidst party maneuvering, caste equations are also influential. Jana Sena seems to be asserting itself more strongly than its allied parties.
In Andhra Pradesh, seats and candidacies among the TDP, BJP, and Jana Sena coalition are still ongoing. Out of the total 175 assembly seats, there are 19 positions yet to be announced. In these pending seats, the TDP is expected to secure favorable positions, including Cheepurupalli, Bhimili, Darshi, Anantapur Urban, Guntakal, and Alur. Meanwhile, the BJP is eyeing 10 assembly seats in Chirala, Paduru Vishakha North, Kaikalur, Vijayawada West, Aluru, Adoni, Badvel, Jammalamadugu, Dharmavaram, and Rajampet. The Jana Sena has already announced candidates for 18 assembly seats, leaving only Palakonda, Vishakhapatnam South, and Avanigadda undecided.
However, there is a dispute over the Adoni and Aluru seats between the TDP and BJP. Instead of Adoni, the TDP is pushing for Emmiganuru, where a TDP candidate is already standing. The BJP is demanding this seat in return for conceding Rajampet to the TDP.
Furthermore, Jana Sena has claimed 12 out of the 18 assembly seats it has announced, causing friction within the party. Except for Anakapalli and Narasapuram, the BSP has allocated its candidates to other parties, affecting candidates from the Setti Balija, Goud, Turpu Kapu, Valmiki, Yadav, Boya, Kuruba, and Chenchu communities. There is discontent within Jana Sena as more importance is allegedly being given to certain leaders. Leaders are squabbling over many seats, particularly Bhimavaram, Tirupati, Anakapalli, and Pendurthi. The Jana Sena leadership is facing criticism for not providing adequate opportunities to women and minority candidates. With only one seat left for the majority, there is internal strife in Jana Sena. The question remains as to who will be given the opportunity to contest for these three seats!
