The battle lines are drawn for the Nandyal by-poll between TDP candidate Bhuma Brahmananda Reddy and YSRCP candidate Silpa Mohan Reddy. As expected, Former Minister Silpa who recently joined the YSR Congress party has been finalised for nomination. YSRCP supremo Jagan Mohan Reddy decided in favor of Silpa on Sunday.

TDP earlier appealed to opposition leader seeking cooperation for unanimous election of its candidate. Requesting them to follow the tradition, they even mentioned that TDP did not field a candidate in the by-poll caused by death of Allagadda MLA Sobha Nagi Reddy. Bhuma Nagireddy won the 2014 elections from YSRCP, but later switched loyalty to TDP.

After losing to Bhuma Nagireddy in 2014 elections with a very less margin, Silpa was adamant to contest in Nandyal by election. It was difficult for him to continue in TDP post the demise of Nagireddy, especially with Minister Akhila Priya taking pot-shots at the YSRCP leader.

Silpa, along with his supporters, joined the YSRCP on 14June frustrated with the TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu’s indecisive attitude on the Nandyal by-election candidature. Following his defection, TDP announced Brahmananda Reddy’s name as candidate for by-election. Ever since , Chandrababu himself has been touring the Kurnool district and campaigning for TDP.