JSP begins scouting for strong candidates ahead of local bodies elections

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Srikakulam Urban Development Authority chairman and Jana Sena Party local body elections’ high-power committee member Korikana Ravikumar said the party had begun a field study in Srikakulam district to identify strong candidates with a clean image to contest in the Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC), Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC), and municipal elections likely to be held in October 2026.

Mr. Ravikumar said that the party had a strong network in all villages and mandals of the district. He added that the party had gained valuable experience from contesting the 2021 local body elections.

He said the field study was aimed at identifying suitable candidates, who enjoyed good relations with the people as well as with activists and leaders of alliance parties such as the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

“We will assess the previous service activities of applicants interested in contesting in the elections. The information gathered in the field study will be submitted to the party high command in September 2026,” said Mr. Ravikumar to The Hindu over a telephonic conversation.

He said that people in Srikakulam continue to hold JSP president and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan in high respect for highlighting the problems faced by people suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

“Mr. Pawan made doctors from the US conduct a survey on CKD issue by holding special camps in 2018 and 2019. It made successive governments establish more dialysis centres, a kidney research centre in Palasa and conduct medical tests for nearly 50,000 people living in the Uddanam region. Mr. Pawan’s special association with Srikakulam would enable the party to prove its strength in the ensuing local body elections,” said Mr. Ravikumar who is also the party’s Srikakulam Parliament wing in-charge.

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