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Jagan wants a contest in Atmakur by-poll?

Jagan wants a contest in Atmakur by-poll?

The Election Commission of India on Monday issued notification for the by-election to Atmakur assembly seat in Nellore district for the vacancy that has arisen due to the sudden untimely death of sitting YSR Congress party MLA and former industries minister Mekapati Goutham Reddy.

The ruling YSR Congress has finalised the candidature of Goutham’s younger brother Mekapati Vikram Reddy for the by-elections, for which nominations will close on June 6. The polling will be held on June 23.

In all probability, it is going to be a one-sided election, as the main opposition Telugu Desam Party has decided against fielding its candidate in the by-election, as per the tradition it is following of not contesting the elections, where a family member of the deceased MLA is in fray.

In the last by-election to Badvel assembly seat, too, the TDP followed the same tradition and opted out of the contest.

Even Jana Sena Party headed by power star Pawan Kalyan, too, did not field its candidate in Badvel. In Atmakur by-poll, too, the Jana Sena will follow the same policy.

Though Bharatiya Janata Party state president Somu Veerraju announced that his party would contest the by-elections for Atmakur, as it had done in the case of Badvel, he has not get come out with any announcement on the candidate.

Apparently, he is waiting for a green signal from the party high command in New Delhi.

Secondly, it is learnt no strong BJP candidate is available in Atmakur to contest the polls and nobody is interested in wasting money. Moreover, the BJP might not get any support from the Jana Sena or the TDP.

So, if the BJP, too, opts out of the contest, it will be more or less a unanimous election for Mekapati Vikram. Maybe, there will be polling if a few independents remain in fray for the sake of contest.

Sources said YSRC president and chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy doesn’t want this unanimous election.

He strongly desires that the TDP or Jana Sena or even the BJP should contest the by-election to make it a little interesting.

“Unless there is any contest from any political party, there is no way the YSRC can prove its strength. Jagan wants that there should a tough contest in the Atmakur by-poll and the YSRC should win the seat with a majority of over one lakh votes,” sources said.

This victory amidst contest would give a psychological edge for the YSRC over the opposition and that will have an impact on the subsequent elections. A victory without any contest will not give any kick to the ruling party!

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