Women’s seats in Kadapa, Pulivendula draw leaders’ spouses, Jagan’s aunt into the fray

A polling official applies indelible ink to a voter’s finger during an earlier election. File | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The posts of Kadapa Municipal Corporation Mayor and Pulivendula municipality Chairperson are reserved for Women (General), bringing women to the fore in these urban local bodies.

Considered the fortress of the Congress in the past and the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) later, the two seats were held by YSR family loyalists in the past.

The YSRCP has fielded Y.S. Prameelamma, wife of Y.S. Manohar Reddy and aunt of former Chief Minister and Pulivendula MLA Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, as its candidate for Chairperson of Pulivendula.

The choice is considered a tested and safe bet for the YSRCP. The TDP-led alliance has criticised it, saying the family-based party could not look beyond traditional options to benefit loyalists.