The failure of leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to finalise candidates for the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) elections, even after the end of the last date of nominations (October 18) has triggered confusion and discontent among the alliance partners. Multiple corporator aspirants from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Jana Sena Party (JSP) and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) have filed nominations for the same wards.

With internal disputes, lack of coordination and indecision over seat-sharing and candidate selection, sitting corporators, senior leaders and party workers aspiring for tickets have entered the fray without clarity on who would be the alliance’s official candidates. The situation has raised concerns among NDA leaders as they fear that the delay could lead to factional disputes, rebel candidates and a division of votes.

For an instance, in the East Assembly constituency, a sitting NDA corporator filed his nomination on October 17 amid a grand show of strength. However, two other aspirants from the same party filed their nominations on October 18, the last day of the nomination process. In addition, five aspirants from the other two NDA partners also filed nominations in the constituency, highlighting the absence of clarity over seat allocation and candidate selection.

In what could further complicate matters for the alliance, several sitting NDA corporators have reportedly filed nominations in two or three wards, in the hope of securing a party ticket in at least one of them. Some sitting corporators were reportedly told that they would not be renominated have also entered the fray as Independents.

A senior NDA leader and sitting corporator attributed the situation to a lack of coordination between constituency MLAs and ticket aspirants. He alleged that individual leaders had given assurances to multiple aspirants, contributing to the uncertainty. He also recalled that the NDA leadership had assured sitting corporators that they would be given another opportunity to contest the elections.

Meanwhile, sources in the alliance said that out of 120 wards, the JSP had sought 40% seats, while the BJP had reportedly been assured 10%. The seat-sharing negotiations, along with competing claims by leaders and aspirants, are understood to have contributed to the delay in finalising the candidates.

With the scrutiny of nominations scheduled for October 19 and the deadline for withdrawal of candidature on October 21, the alliance has little time to resolve differences and launch a coordinated campaign ahead of polling on October 28.

NDA leaders fear that the delay in announcing candidates could affect campaign preparations, demoralise party workers and supporters, and intensify competition among ticket aspirants. Those who fail to secure official nomination may continue to contest as Independents, potentially splitting the alliance’s traditional vote base, benefiting its political rivals.

“Decisions should have been taken much earlier. The delay has left aspirants and party workers in uncertainty, while the time available for campaigning is also shrinking. This could take a toll on the alliance’s prospects,” another senior NDA leader said.

TDP Visakhapatnam president Palla Srinivasa Rao said the final decision on the candidates would be taken by Sunday night and that official B-forms would be issued to the selected candidates by then.

The B-form is crucial for candidates to establish their official status as party nominees. Those who receive the document are expected to contest as authorised candidates of their respective parties, while those denied official authorisation may continue in the fray as Independents.