In a significant development, YSR Congress city committee on Saturday announced its support to Telugu Desam Party candidate M. Suguna in byelection to Tirupati Assembly segment.

Speaking to The Hindu , the party’s city committee convener Palagiri Pratap Reddy said they were extending their support to Ms. Suguna, to prevent some independent candidates from claiming support of YSRC during their campaign. It may be recalled that both the parties have extended support for unanimous election of their candidates in previous occasions, including byelections held for Nandigama and Allagadda constituencies. The YSRC did not field its candidate against TDP in Nandigama byelection and the same cooperation was extended by the latter in unanimous election of YSRC candidate in Allagadda. This move might have emerged as a shocker to the Congress, which was banking on YSRC supporters.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu at a meeting of BC organisations appealed to members of the Backward Classes to work for the victory of Ms. Suguna.