YSRCP unveils candidates’ list

The YSRCP, in power in Andhra Pradesh, has unveiled its list of candidates for the upcoming electoral battle, comprising 175 Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats.
In a ceremony held at Idupulapaya on Saturday, party stalwarts Dharmana Prasada Rao and Nandigam Suresh unveiled the candidate list in the presence of Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party President Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Before the announcement, the Chief Minister and other party leaders paid homage to the Samadhi of Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy, seeking his blessings.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister underscored the party’s commitment to social justice, evident in the selection process of candidates for both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
He noted with pride that a precedent was set, with 50 per cent of the seats earmarked for SC, ST, BC, and minority candidates, with further clarification pending for the Anakapalli Lok Sabha seat. Among the 175 Assembly seats, 29 were allocated to SCs, 7 to STs, 48 to BCs, 7 to minorities, and 91 to OC communities, with 19 women representing diverse communities.
Similarly, out of the 25 Lok Sabha candidates, 5 were women, with 4 from SC, 1 from ST, 11 from BC, and 9 from OC communities. Reflecting on the legislative efforts to empower marginalised communities, the Chief Minister highlighted that 50 per cent of candidates were chosen from these communities, in adherence to the law mandating such representation.
While acknowledging the progress made compared to the 2019 polls, he expressed a desire for increased female representation, aiming for more women candidates in the future. Notably, 77 per cent of MLA and MP candidates are graduates, including professionals such as 15 advocates, 18 doctors, 34 engineers, 2 civil servants, 1 journalist, and 5 teachers.
The party also disclosed alterations in 81 assembly constituencies and 18 Lok Sabha constituencies, demonstrating its adaptability and commitment to effective representation.