Politics
Left parties and Congress back Rao for Vijayawada mayor
The Hindu·
The CPI, CPI(M) and Congress backed retired IPS officer A.B. Venkateswara Rao for Vijayawada mayor on October 17. Left parties will contest corporator seats jointly and skip the mayoral race. Rao sought Congress support as an independent from APCC president Y.S. Sharmila, who pledged full backing. CPI(M) leader D. Kasinath announced the decision with CPI secretary G. Koteswara Rao.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Vijayawada voters choose mayor and corporators in the upcoming municipal polls under this joint lineup.
- Congress cadres were asked to campaign for Rao after Sharmila accepted his independent candidature.
- Residents in contested corporator wards will see CPI and CPI(M) candidates rather than a Congress mayor nominee.
What's Happening
- Rao alleged TDP, Jana Sena and YSRCP were aligning with fascist forces in his letter to Sharmila.
- Left leaders met on Saturday to divide corporator seats and continue talks with other parties.
- Rao said people's organisations urged him to contest the mayoral election.
Why Vijayawada parties aligned
- Venkateswara Rao is a retired Indian Police Service officer entering city politics.
- The INDIA bloc includes Congress as a leading partner in Andhra Pradesh.
- Municipal elections will test opposition coordination against the state ruling alliance.
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