13 in fray for Tirupati Assembly by-elections

Hyderabad, Jan 30 (INN): As many as 13 candidates are in fray for the by-elections for Tirupati Assembly seat in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.

According to the Returning Officer, a total of 10 candidates have withdrawn their nominations as on the last date of withdrawal on Friday. Therefore, 13 candidates, including eight independents, have remained in the fray. They are

Mannuru Suguna (TDP), Sridevi. R (Congress), Asadi Venkatadri (RKSP), Kalluri Balasubramanyam (Lok Satt), Nagaveti Subramanyam Achari (ABJS) and independent candidates Katari Kesavulu Chetty, Kamatam Subba Reddy, Guru Govinda Yadav, Davids Vagdev, Pothi Reddy Venkata Reddy, Manohar Reddy Dasari, A Raveendra and L Lakkappa.

The main contest is likely to be between TDP’s Suguna and Congress party’s Sridevi. The YSR Congress Party has not fielded its candidate following an appeal by the TDP to make the election unanimous. The seat fell vacant due to the demise of sitting TDP MLA M Venakataramana on December 15. Since TDP had not fielded its candidate in Allagadda by-polls, the YSRCP reciprocated by staying away from Tirupati by-polls. However, the election could not be unanimous with Congress, Lok Satta Party and other independents entering the fray.

The polling will be on February 13 and the counting of votes will take place on February 16.