Andhra Pradesh ready for local polls, awaits SC verdict on BC quota: Narayana

Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister Ponguru Narayana laid the foundation stone for the Sachivalayam building in Nellore Division 10 on Sunday.

Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister Ponguru Narayana said the state government is fully prepared to conduct local body elections and is only waiting for the Supreme Court’s verdict on the status of reservations for Backward Classes (BC).

Last week, the minister launched several development projects in his constituency ahead of the local body elections that are due to be held shortly.

Speaking to the media after laying the foundation stone and performing Bhumi Puja for the Sachivalayam building in the city’s 10th Corporation Division on Sunday, Mr Narayana said any delay in holding the elections could cost the state dearly as it could result in a loss of around ₹12,000 crore in funds from the 16th Finance Commission.

“Since Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has already directed us to proceed with the election process, we are only waiting for the Supreme Court’s verdict on BC’s objections. Once the verdict is delivered, we will proceed,” he said.

Mr. Narayana accused the YSRCP of deliberately obstructing the electoral process to prevent funds from reaching the state’s development programmes, recalling that the previous YSRCP government failed to conduct elections in 23 municipalities, resulting in urban local bodies being deprived of funds due from the 15th Finance Commission.

Apart from the issue of BC reservations, reorganization of wards and divisions would also fall under the purview of the State Election Commission, he said to a question.

Published – 04 Oct 2026 19:14 IST