242 candidates file nominations for ward members in Vijayawada, four for mayoral post

After a low turnout for nominations on the first day, four candidates, three independents and one from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), filed papers for the Mayor’s post and 242 candidates filed nominations for posts of ward members on the second day (Saturday, October 17, 2026).

Among the 242 candidates, seven are from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), one from the Communist Party of India (CPI), three from the Indian National Congress (INC), 85 from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), 40 from the Jana Sena Party (JSP), 110 from the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and one from AAP. Fourteen independent candidates also filed their nominations on the second day.

But the main contenders, Vangaveeti Radhakrishna, the NDA’s mayoral candidate for the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) elections, and YSRCP’s Rayana Bhagya Lakshmi, would file their nominations on Sunday (October 18).

In Jaggayyapeta, Tiruvuru, Nandigama and Kondapalli municipalities, nine candidates filed nominations for the post of Chairperson on Saturday.

In Jaggayyapeta, one TDP candidate filed nomination; in Tiruvuru, one YSRCP candidate filed nomination; in Nandigama, one each from TDP, YSRCP and an independent candidate filed their nominations. In Kondapalli, none had filed nominations yet.

Even as nominations are underway, there seems to be little clarity on seat sharing for the VMC elections as of Saturday evening. There is discontent among a few sitting corporators of the TDP about the seat allocation and the decision to allot the Mayor post to the JSP has also reportedly ruffled a few feathers.

The corporators expressed hope that the party would give priority to sitting corporators but said they would stand by the party’s decision.