YSRCP Steps Up Preparations for Local Body Polls in Anantapur

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) held an extended meeting of its Anantapur Urban constituency unit on September 26, focusing on preparations for the upcoming local body elections and the selection of candidates.

The meeting at the party's district office was attended by Parliament constituency observer Naresh Kumar Reddy, constituency observer Thippeswamy, district president and constituency coordinator Anantha Venkatarami Reddy, former corporators, division-level leaders and party workers. The meeting comes as the YSRCP steps up its organisational preparations for the local body polls.

Anantha Venkatarami Reddy said the party would consider the views of leaders and workers while selecting candidates and identify strong contenders division-wise. He called for coordinated efforts to win all 62 divisions of Anantapur Municipal Corporation, along with the mayor's post.

He said party workers were the organisation's main strength and acknowledged that cadres had been overlooked in the past. He claimed that 18 lakh people across Andhra Pradesh had been given positions in various capacities, including around 6,600 in Anantapur constituency, and said the remaining workers would also be given positions and identity cards.

Venkatarami Reddy highlighted development works undertaken during the previous YSRCP government, including roads, drains and other infrastructure projects under the 'Gadapa Gadapaku Prabhutvam' programme. He said Rs 300 crore had been allocated for the expansion of Anantapur Government Hospital, including a surgical block, while land had been identified for an MCH block. He also referred to road expansion works from Gooty Road to Tadakaleru and from Pangal Road to Ballari bypass.

He alleged that Anantapur Urban MLA Daggubati Prasad and his associates were involved in irregularities after the coalition government came to power, a charge not independently established at the meeting. He said the YSRCP was ready for a public debate on the development and welfare record of its government and the performance of the present administration.

Naresh Kumar Reddy claimed that development works worth Rs 1,045 crore were undertaken in the constituency during the YSRCP government's tenure. He asked workers to explain the party's development and welfare initiatives to voters and prepare for the elections with unity.

He said candidates would be selected considering commitment, loyalty and electoral prospects, while Venkatarami Reddy said youth and new faces would also be given opportunities.

Thippeswamy urged the cadre to take the local elections seriously and called for coordinated efforts to strengthen the party in the municipal corporation. He also warned that disciplinary action would be taken against those working against the party's interests.