Hyderabad, April 22: As many as 42 candidates remained in fray for the by-election to Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency after the deadline for withdrawal of nominations today. For the Pulivendula Assembly seat, 25 candidates are in the fight.
By-elections to these two seats will be held on May 8. The Election Commission allotted ceiling fan as the election symbol for YSR Congress party candidates Y S Jaganmohan Reddy and his mother Y S Vijayalakshmi who are contesting for Kadapa and Pulivendula seats respectively.
The ruling Congress fielded state Health Minister D L Ravindra Reddy for Kadapa, while TDP fielded Rajya Sabha member M V Mysura Reddy. Ten candidates by name Jaganmohan Reddy, though with different surnames, are also in contest for Kadapa seat while four candidates named Vijayalakshmi are standing in Pulivendula.
In Pulivendula, Y S Vivekananda Reddy, younger brother of late Chief Minister YSR, is taking on his sister-in-law in what has turned into a family battle.
Meanwhile, state Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwarlal told reporters here that so far a sum of Rs 1.74 crore was seized during regular searches conducted in different parts of Kadapa district ahead of the by-elections. “We are continuing the vigil and intensifying the searches.
A watch is also being maintained on withdrawal of huge cash from ATMs. All this is to curb the influence of money in polls,” he said. In all eight observers of the EC, including a police observer, would keep a close watch on the election process, he added.
-PTI