Nandyal Assembly by-election: Jagan Mohan Reddy’s attack puts Chandrababu Naidu in a tight spot

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and leader of the state Opposition Jagan Mohan Reddy are locked in a tight, fight-to-the-finish battle in the Nandyal Assembly by-election for which campaigning ended yesterday. Polls for the Assembly seat will be held on Wednesday.

Described by the locals as the “worst ever campaign undertaken” in the history of the state, not just money, but liquor, dole, personal abuse, animosity, bad blood were in play in large measures during the last 10 days of campaigning.

Because of the direct fight between Naidu and Reddy, both have turned it into a personal prestige battle with political analysts expecting the election to go right down to the wire in what may be a “photo finish”.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu spent the Saturday and Sunday campaigning in the constituency. Naidu’s entire state Cabinet is camping in Nandyal, leaving no stone unturned to ensure a TDP victory. As many as 25 TDP legislators are spread out throughout the constituency along with key police officials and people of the government machinery working overtime for the ruling TDP and their candidate.

With Assembly elections in the state due only in April 2019, the Nandyal poll is being seen as a test case for Naidu’s popularity. In real terms, reports suggest that the ruling TDP is in a state of panic. Not a single promise Naidu made in 2014 has been fulfilled, says a senior YSR-CP leader adding that Jagan mohan reddy's "vitriolic" direct attack on Naidu has put the TDP in an uncomfortable position.

Though Naidu spent two days in Nandyal on Saturday and Sunday, seeking votes on his over-all performance of "development and good governance", there seem to be "no takers" for his speeches and utterances.