A total of 20 candidates filed their nominations today for the March 18 by-elections covering seven seats in Andhra Pradesh. So far, 39 candidates have filed nominations for the bypoll, according to official sources. Twelve candidates from respective parties had filed their nominations on February 23 and 24 while seven papers were filed the following day after the nominations were opened on February 22.
For Adilabad Assembly Constituency, Payila Shanker from TDP had filed three sets each and Mahender Gound Kodipyaka (Independent) while in Kamareddy, N.Venu Gopal Rao had filed one set of nomination from TDP, Kairamkonda Yadagiri from Rajyadhikara party and E Gopi Yadav (independent ). TRS candidate Syed Ibrahim , BJP candidate Yennam Srinivas Reddy and three other independent candidates have failed their nominations from Mahabubnagar Assembly constituency while Bandi Chandra Shekar (Independent) had filed from Nagarkurnool assembly segment.
Former Minister Jupally Kirhsna Rao, who resigned from Congress in favor of separate Telangana statehood, Md.Jabbar and Ramachandra Goud (both from CPM) and two independent candidates have filed their nominations from Kollapur assembly constituency while Telugu Desam Party candidate Kadiyam Srihari and two CPM candidates — Narsingam Vemula and Elishan Daida have filed nominations from Ghanpur (station) and for Kovur assembly constituency. Congress candidate Srinivasulu Reddy Polamreddy and CPM canidate Jonnalagadda Venkama Raju have filed their nominations, the sources said. The last date of nominations is February 29, withdrawal will take place on March 3 and the counting of votes will be taken up on March 21. Telangana Rashtra Samithi has decided to field their candidate in Kovur assembly constituency (Nellore district).