Telugu Desam Party takes charge of Chittoor Municipal Corporation after local polls

The Telugu Desam Party has taken absolute control of the Chittoor Municipal Corporation, reversing the outcome of the 2021 elections when the YSR Congress Party held a massive majority. Voting took place in a quiet atmosphere because 51 out of the 60 total divisions were already won uncontested during the nomination and withdrawal stages. Only nine divisions went to the actual polls, leading to a low voter turnout. Vote counting on Tuesday showed that the TDP won five of these contested divisions, the YSRCP won three, and an independent candidate took the remaining one. In the Mayoral race, TDP candidate Katari Hemalatha secured a large margin of 35,050 votes against YSRCP nominee Ramaswamy Chandrasekhar.

Background

This result marks a complete shift in local power compared to the 2021 polls, where the YSRCP had claimed 46 out of 50 divisions. The total number of divisions in the corporation later grew to 60 following a delimitation process. Local political loyalties also shifted after the 2024 Assembly elections when the previous Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and 17 corporators left the YSRCP to join the TDP.

Context

Municipal corporation elections decide local governance in urban areas, including civic services, road maintenance, and local development works. Changes in state-level political power often influence local body alignments as elected representatives switch parties to work with the ruling party in government.