Naidu turns to picking TDP candidates for local body polls after NDA seat-sharing deal

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has turned his attention to the selection of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) candidates for the local body elections following the conclusion of the seat-sharing arrangement by the allies, the TDP, the Jana Sena Party (JSP) and the BJP, late on Thursday (October 15, 2026).

Along with the party’s national working president Nara Lokesh and State president Palla Srinivasa Rao, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu is seized of the matter as the State Election Commission (SEC) has started receiving nominations, and the last date for their submission is October 18.

Mr. Chandrababu Naidu is poring over the feedback obtained by the party from the grassroots on the probable candidates and their prospects of winning the elections, and opinions of the local people in Municipal Corporations, Municipalities and Nagar Panchayats, Mandal and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies and Gram Panchayats.

A party release said the objective of the rigorous filtering process undertaken by Mr. Naidu is to field the right individuals with strong leadership qualities and commitment to public service.

Due focus has been laid on the election of Mayors and Municipal Chairpersons, which is going to be a direct election this time, for which the AP Municipal Laws (Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2026, was passed in the Legislative Assembly in August.

As governance in the local bodies has a direct impact on the day-to-day lives of citizens, the TDP is firmly committed to providing the best possible leadership to the people by ensuring capable leadership, the release stated.