Pulivendula Falls: What the NDA Sweep Really Means

I never thought I would write this sentence. Pulivendula has gone to the NDA.

In local body elections, the ruling NDA won 64 out of 65 MPTC seats in Pulivendula unanimously, after the deadline for withdrawal of nominations. Only one seat, Alireddypalle in Vempalli mandal, will go to polls on November 3. The alliance also got 3 of the 7 ZPTC seats there without a contest.

Across Kadapa district, the NDA captured 23 of 39 ZPTC seats uncontested. TDP won 19, BJP 3 and Jana Sena 1. The NDA is now in a position to win the Kadapa Zilla Parishad Chairperson post for the first time since 1999.

Why this is historic

Pulivendula is not just a constituency. For decades it has been the heart of the YSR family’s politics. It was like a fort. Nobody even imagined it could fall.

So yes, for TDP, Jana Sena and BJP workers, this is a proud day. I understand their happiness. They worked hard in a place where many said they had no chance.

But I have a question

Uncontested. That word stays with me.

When 64 out of 65 seats are won without a single vote being cast, I feel a little uneasy. In a healthy democracy, people should get a choice. Even if one side is very strong, the voter should still press a button.

The YSRCP has alleged that its candidates were pressured and police interfered. The ruling side says YSRCP simply had no candidates and no support left. I cannot verify every claim from my desk. But both possibilities should worry us. Either the opposition is collapsing badly, or the contest was not fair. Neither is good for democracy.

A message for YSRCP

If Pulivendula can fall, anything can fall. This is the time for honest introspection, not only allegations. Why did workers not come forward? Why did local leaders shift? What did people feel was missing?

A party that only blames others never rebuilds.

A message for the NDA

Victory brings responsibility. Now the people of Kadapa will expect development, water, jobs, roads. They will not compare you with YSRCP anymore. They will compare you with your own promises.

And please, let the remaining elections be completely free and fair. A big win means nothing if people feel it was not earned.

My feeling

I am from Andhra Pradesh. I want strong government and strong opposition. Both. A state with no real opposition becomes careless. A state with no stable government becomes chaotic.

Pulivendula has spoken, or at least, its nominations have. Now let us see what the ballot says where people still get to vote.

What do you think? Is this a real change of heart in Kadapa, or something else? Tell me in the comments.