Andhra Pradesh set for historical poll battle 

K Varaprasada Rao 

Vijayawada : As the countdown to the historic Assembly and Lok Sabha polls in Andhra Pradesh reaches its final hours, the political atmosphere is charged with palpable anticipation and excitement. The stage is set for an intense electoral showdown, characterised by passionate speeches from prominent leaders such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, and others.

Of paramount significance is the weight this election carries for the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which views this battle as a pivotal moment of life and death, moving forward with unwavering confidence. At the age of 75, TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu gears up for a critical election that could potentially etch a historic chapter in his illustrious political journey. Meanwhile, the ruling YSR Congress party is vigorously fighting to retain power. 

Contesting from the Kuppam Assembly constituency, Naidu is among the prominent leaders, including Jagan (Pulivendula Assembly segment) and Pawan Kalyan (Pithapuram Assembly segment) from the Janasena party, fiercely competing for Assembly seats and preparing to cast their votes in their respective constituencies. Simultaneously, AP Congress president YS Sharmila (Kadapa MP segment) and BJP state chief Purandeswari (Rajamahendravaram MP segment) are leading the charge in the Lok Sabha battleground.

The electoral landscape is dynamic, with the YSRCP contesting all 175 Assembly seats and 25 Lok Sabha segments, while the NDA coalition sees the TDP allocated 144 Assembly and 17 Lok Sabha constituencies, alongside the BJP contesting from six Lok Sabha and 10 Assembly seats. The Janasena party, in its own right, is contesting two Lok Sabha and 21 Assembly seats.

In preparation for the polls, robust security measures have been put in place, with 1.06 lakh security personnel deployed by the Election Commission, including personnel from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu police forces, ex-servicemen, and retired police personnel. Additionally, stringent regulations such as the implementation of Section 144 and the closure of liquor shops until 6 PM on polling day aim to uphold law and order.

To bolster transparency and accountability, webcasting arrangements have been established at 34,165 out of 46,389 polling stations. The elections witness a significant influx of new voters, with 10 lakh young individuals exercising their right to vote, adding intrigue to the political landscape.

With a focus on ensuring a smooth electoral process, special arrangements like dedicated queues for the disabled and elderly voters have been set up, complementing the deployment of 1.6 lakh Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) across the state.

State Chief Electoral Officer Mukesh Kumar Meena expressed optimism regarding voter turnout, aiming for an impressive 83 percent polling compared to the 79.84 percent in the last election. Measures such as declaring a holiday for educational institutions and urging both government and private organisations to grant a holiday on polling day aim to facilitate maximum participation.

To maintain the integrity of the electoral process, a ban on opinion polls and exit polls has been enforced, preventing undue influence or speculation until the results are announced officially.