TDP to contest 94, Jana Sena 24 Assembly seats in first list; new entrants too get chance

VIJAYAWADA: The TDP and Jana Sena Party released the first list of 118 candidates for the upcoming Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections. Interestingly, the focus of TDP was on fresh faces in some constituencies and youth representation from the BC community apart from women candidates.

Also Read: TDP-Jana Sena first list likely on February 24; will they leave door ajar for BJP ?

As part of the alliance, of these 118 seats, TDP will contest 94, while Jana Sena would be contesting in 24 seats.

Jana Sena for now announced five candidates for five seats and kept the rest for announcement a couple of days later.

Giving out details of the candidates with media at his Undavalli residence on Saturday, TDP president Chandrababu Naidu said, "We have finalised these 94 candidates after taking the opinion of the crowd. We have given high priority to youngsters and educated individuals, and have also given representation to the BCs in the list. We have given chances to 23 new candidates in the list."

Criticising the ruling YSRCP and its choice of candidates by its president Jagan Mohan Reddy, Naidu said, "The YSRCP has given priority to rowdies and red sandalwood smugglers, but we have given a chance to well-educated BCs and youth. People of the State have a lot of negativity towards the YSRCP Government."

Emphasising the alliance between TDP and Jana Sena, Naidu said, “TDP-JSP is ready for election war. This alliance is for the brighter future of Andhra Pradesh. Our State lost because of bifurcation and after YS Jagan became the Chief Minister. It's a loss to the five crore people of Andhra Pradesh. An egoist has destroyed the State. We have taken this decision to save the people of Andhra. We don't have financial support, but we have public support. The war is between five crore people vs an egoist."