The TDP-led NDA alliance has won the Chirala municipality in Bapatla district. Other urban local bodies were counted on November 3, but Chirala's count was moved to Friday, November 6, because of Cyclone Murasu. Votes for 44 wards and the chairperson post were counted at Chirala Engineering College.
Results (unofficial)
- TDP 22, Jana Sena 2, BJP 1: 25 wards for the alliance. The majority mark is 23.
- Congress 10, YSRCP 8, Independent 1 (OKTelugu's tally).
- Chairperson (directly elected, reserved for SC women): TDP's Ericherla Honey Spandana won by 6,468 votes. TDP polled 21,883, YSRCP 15,415 and Congress 11,025.
Congress won wards 1, 21, 25 and 33. Vaartha and AP7AM credit former MLA Amanchi Krishna Mohan's influence for the Congress showing. AP7AM said final official results were yet to be announced.
Charges from both sides
On Thursday, YSRCP president Jagan Mohan Reddy called the local polls "not an election but merely a selection" and alleged rigging at every stage. He claimed the opposition was blocked from filing nominations in 84 ZPTC and 2,109 MPTC seats. The CPI and CPI(M) have called a statewide protest on November 11. TDP state president Palla Srinivasa Rao accused the YSRCP of violence and booth capturing.
What next
Thursday's MPTC and ZPTC polls recorded 67.24% turnout, with 1,50,84,014 of 2,24,32,460 voters casting ballots. Those votes are counted on Saturday, November 7.
