In a stunning political comeback, N. Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is set to return to power in Andhra Pradesh, leading in 130 of the 175 Assembly seats. This marks a significant turnaround from the party’s 23 seats in the outgoing Assembly. The TDP, in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena Party (JSP), is also performing strongly in the Lok Sabha polls, leading in 16 of 25 seats.
This victory follows months after Naidu’s arrest on alleged corruption charges, showcasing his resilience and leadership. The ruling YSR Congress Party, led by Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, trails with leads in only 24 Assembly seats.
The TDP’s headquarters are abuzz with celebrations, and Naidu is expected to be sworn in as Chief Minister on June 9, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi slated to attend. This underscores the strengthened TDP-BJP alliance.
Naidu’s political career, spanning over four decades, has seen him transform Hyderabad into a tech hub. His strategic acumen has once again steered the TDP to victory, signaling a new chapter in Andhra Pradesh politics.
The state saw a record voter turnout of 81.86%, surpassing the previous 79.68% in 2019. The Election Commission reported 80.66% of votes cast through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and 1.2% via postal ballots. Darsi constituency recorded the highest turnout at 90.11%.
YSRCP Chief Jagan Mohan Reddy thanked voters for their participation, despite the intense competition and high temperatures. His gratitude extended to diverse voter groups and party workers, vowing to continue good governance despite the electoral setback.
