BJP Makes Inroads In Southern States: NDA Secures Landslide Victory In Andhra Pradesh And Telangana MLC Elections

In a resounding electoral triumph, candidates backed by the TDP-led NDA secured victories in the Krishna-Guntur and Godavari Graduates’ Constituencies in Andhra Pradesh's MLC elections.

Meanwhile, in Telangana, the BJP wrested a key Graduates’ MLC seat from Congress, marking the first major electoral test since the 2024 general elections in both states, The New Indian Express reported.

From the Krishna-Guntur Graduates’ Constituency, Alapati Rajendra Prasad emerged victorious with a staggering margin of 82,320 votes, securing 1,45,057 votes (67.51 per cent) against PDF candidate KS Lakshmana Rao.

Similarly, in the Godavari Graduates’ Constituency, Perabathula Rajasekhar won by 77,460 votes, polling 1,24,702 votes (62.59 per cent) against DV Raghavulu.

The NDA’s dominance was further highlighted as its vote share increased compared to the general elections, where it had secured 59.28 per cent votes in East and West Godavari districts and 58.19 per cent in Krishna-Guntur districts. The MLC results saw this rise to 62.59 per cent and 67.51 per cent, respectively.

With these latest wins, the NDA has now captured all five graduate MLC seats in Andhra Pradesh, consolidating its control over the Legislative Council.

A TDP leader attributed Lakshmana Rao’s defeat to his association with the YSRCP, stating that the MLC poll results were a testament to the trust of people in the leadership of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

In Telangana, the BJP made significant inroads, snatching the Medak-Nizamabad-Adilabad-Karimnagar Graduates’ MLC seat from Congress. BJP candidate C Anji Reddy defeated Congress’ V Narender Reddy through second-preference votes after an intense counting process.

The election, conducted via ballot papers, saw a lengthy elimination process spanning three days. Out of 2,52,029 votes polled, 28,686 were declared invalid, leaving 2,23,343 valid votes. A quota of 1,11,672 votes was set for victory.

Anji Reddy secured 98,637 votes, surpassing Narender Reddy’s 93,531 after the elimination of BSP candidate Prasanna Harikrishna, who finished third. Despite objections from Narender Reddy, election officials upheld the results, leading to his exit from the counting centre in frustration.

BJP state president and Union Minister G Kishan Reddy hailed the win, stating that the party’s success in the three MLC elections was proof of its growing popularity in Telangana.

Minister Bandi Sanjay added that BJP’s win is India’s victory over Pakistan in a cricket match. He alleged that Congress attempted to bribe voters but failed, attributing the BJP’s success to the recent restructuring of income tax slabs.