In a rare moment of graceful cooperation between the TRS and the BJP, the former recently announced that it would abstain from participating in the GHMC's Lingojiguda division by-election to be held later this month.
The party has taken this decision following a request made by the BJP leadership that pointed out that the previous corporator, Akula Ramesh Goud, had died on February 11, 2021, even before the swearing-in ceremony following last year's
GHMC elections.
The saffron party requested the TRS to extend its support to Goud's son, Akhil Goud, as a mark of respect to the late corporator.
A delegation, led by former BJP MLC N Ramchander Rao, met the ruling party's K T Rama Rao at the Pragathi Bhavan and appealed to him to make way for the unanimous election of the BJP candidate.
Following the meeting, which was attended by Ramesh Goud's wife and son as well, KTR reportedly even contacted TPCC chief Uttam Kumar Reddy and sought the Congress' support for the unanimous election of the BJP nominee.
Many have welcomed the decision since it is a revival of a norm that was part of the political culture of undivided Andhra Pradesh - parties would abstain from fielding candidates for any by-elections necessitated by the passing of the incumbent officeholder, making way for a member of the deceased's family to carry forward their legacy.