Avanigadda bypoll: Contest inevitable as 2 independents in fray

Contest in the by-election for Avanigadda Assembly seat in Krishna district has become inevitable as two independent candidates refused to withdraw their nominations before the deadline ended this afternoon.

As per the schedule, polling in Avanigadda will now be held on August 21 and counting of votes on August 24. Telugu Desam Party has fielded Ambati Sri Hari Prasad, son of sitting MLA Ambati Brahmanaiah whose death caused the by-election, and requested Congress, YSR Congress and other parties not to field their candidates to make the election unanimous keeping with the tradition.

The political parties consented and communicated their decision not to field their candidates to TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu.  However, 15 candidates filed nominations as independents but 13 of them withdrew their papers on the last day for withdrawal today.

But two independents refused to withdraw from the fray despite a plea made by TDP district president and MLA Devineni Umamaheswara Rao. Party sources here said their district leadership failed to convince the independents from withdrawing though Chandrababu cleared the way by making the political parties accept his request not to field their candidates.