Professionals eye local body polls race as parties look for young faces with clean image

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Published - September 01, 2026 08:30 pm IST - PARVATIPURAM/VIZIANAGARAM/SRIKAKULAM:

Academician Shiva Narendra Naidu offering Gautham Buddha idol to former chief minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy in Vijayawada. | Photo Credit: HANDOUT

Academicians, doctors, entrepreneurs, business professionals are likely to contest in the ensuing Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC), Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC), and municipal elections political parties look to bring in young leaders with clean images to strengthen their parties at grassroot level.

Several aspirants had formally ‘applied’ for seats to the ZPCTC and MPTC to test their political fortunes. A few of them used their ‘high-level contacts’ to meet senior party leaders in Vijayawada and Amaravati.

Academician Rangumudri Shiva Narendra Naidu who has a B.Tech, MBA and Ph.D qualification met former chief minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and expressed his willingness to contest from the Balijipeta ZPTC seat in Parvatipuram-Manyam district.

“Politics will provide me the opportunity to serve the people directly. It will help us taken up public issues with senior officials,” Mr. Narendra Naidu told the media in Parvatipuram. He said that his group of colleges was helping many economical disadvantaged students to pursue higher studies.

Doctor B. Anusha, daughter of Opposition Leader in the AP Legislative Council Botcha Satyanarayana might also contest in the local body elections. She has been active in service-related activities in Vizianagaram district.

In Srikakulam, senior doctor Daneti Sridhar who is also Jana Sena Party (JSP) general secretary for the district, is keen to contest the local body and the next general elections.

General physician Paidi Sindhura, who recently joined the BJP is also hoping for an opportunity to contest the local body elections in Srikakulam district.

Srikakulam Urban Development Authority chairman and JSP local body elections high-power committee member Korikana Ravikumar told The Hindu that the party had received nearly 5,000 applications for party posts in Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts.

“Deputy Chief Minister and JSP president Pawan Kalyan is keen to encourage youngsters with good academic qualifications with the aim of building the party for the next three decades. The party might offer seats after field study and verification of their background is completed,” he said.

Srikakulam District Congress Committee President Sanapala Annajirao said that the PCC president Y.S.Sharmila Reddy had directed him to identify youngsters with a commitment to public service for the ensuing local body elections.

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