BJP confident of NDA continuing its winning streak in forthcoming A.P. local body polls, says P.V.N. Madhav

BJP State president P.V.N. Madhav paying tributes to freedom fighter Birsa Munda on his 151st birth anniversary which coincides with Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, in Vijayawada on Sunday. | Photo Credit: Giri KVS The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Andhra Pradesh president P.V.N. Madhav has expressed confidence that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would continue its winning streak in the second phase of local body elections and secure a majority of seats in the forthcoming gram panchayat polls.Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, he said the nomination process had begun for the second phase of elections covering 23 municipal corporations and municipalities. The TDP, the Jana Sena and the BJP had held discussions on candidate selection and seat-sharing, focusing on coordination among the three parties.The Alliance was also preparing for the gram panchayat elections, with district presidents, MLAs and other leaders coordinating at the grassroots level. The three parties intended to contest as many sarpanch, deputy sarpanch and ward member positions as possible, he said.Mr. Madhav said the coalition government was according equal importance to welfare and development, with the Centre and the State working together to accelerate Andhra Pradesh’s progress.Referring to the CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam, he said around 900 memoranda of understanding had been signed, involving proposed investments of nearly ₹9.9 lakh crore. Representatives from 46 countries and several Union Ministers had participated in the event. The implementation of over 70% of the investment agreements signed at the previous summit reflected investors’ confidence in the State, he claimed.Lesser-known freedom fightersEarlier, speaking on Janjatiya Gaurav Divas marking the 151st birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda, Mr. Madhav recalled the freedom fighter’s struggle against British attempts to dispossess tribal communities of their lands and undermine their traditional way of life.Birsa Munda mobilised tribal people to protect their identity, traditions and self-respect. The resistance that began in the Jharkhand region spread to other parts of the country, he said.He said the Modi government was bringing the contributions of lesser-known freedom fighters into public focus. He cited the installation of Alluri Sitarama Raju’s statue in Bhimavaram and the establishment of a museum at Lambasingi. He also referred to Ekalavya Model Residential Schools and the creation of a separate Tribal Affairs Ministry during the Vajpayee government.Mr. Madhav also conveyed condolences over the demise of film actor Giribabu, recalling his association with the BJP. Published - November 15, 2026 08:02 pm IST