Deekshitula subrahmanyam rajamahendravaram

Therecognised union election at the Andhra Paper Mill in Rajamahendravaram has thrown up significant political signals, with the ruling NDA parties in the state contesting separately and eventually paying the price for the lack of unity.

Though the Telugu Desam Party, Jana Sena and the BJP are partners in the State government, the three parties backed different trade union combinations in the paper mill election. The split in votes ensured that none of the fronts secured the mandatory support required for recognition. Another political takeaway from the Andhra Paper Mill recognition union election is the growing view that the outcome could have been entirely different had the NDA parties contested together.

Political leaders and trade union activists across party lines openly remarked after the results that a joint front comprising the TDP-affiliated TNTUC, the BJP-backed Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh and the Jana Sena Trade Union would have comfortably crossed the mandatory 51% vote mark and secured recognition.

The election has also triggered discontent within the three parties. Several leaders privately questioned why no serious effort was made to forge a common front despite the TDP, Jana Sena and BJP sharing power in the state.

The absence of even a symbolic attempt to arrive at an understanding has become a point of discussion within the alliance, with many party workers describing it as a “missed political opportunity” that allowed the recognition union to slip out of the NDA’s reach.

The Jana Sena-backed United Front emerged as the single largest group with 258 votes out of the 706 votes polled. The alliance was followed by the INTUC-led front, backed by YSRCP and other unions, with 228 votes, while the TDP-backed TNTUC alliance secured 220 votes to finish third. Political observers believe the outcome underlined the cost of the NDA partners fighting separately. “Had the alliance remained united, recognition would have been well within reach,” was a common view in political circles after the results were announced.

The election has also drawn attention to the political equations within the alliance. Rajamahendravaram City MLA Adireddy Srinivas, who has remained politically unbeaten in a series of cooperative bank elections in the city, faced his first major organisational setback.

Despite an intensive campaign in the closing phase, including a large public meeting addressed by former MLC Adireddy Appa Rao along with party cadre, the TNTUC alliance could not improve its position beyond third place. The role played by leaders from neighbouring Rajanagaram also became a talking point. Rajanagaram MLA Battula Balarama Krishna, serving as honorary president of the Jana Sena Trade Union, is said to have played a key role in mobilising support for the front that secured the highest number of votes. On the other hand, former Rajanagaram MLA and YSRCP leader Jakkampudi Raja, along with former APIIC Chairman S. Sivarama Subrahmanyam, actively campaigned for the INTUC led alliance and helped it register a competitive performance. The absence of visible participation by former MP and Rajamahendravaram YSRCP city in-charge Margani Bharat Ram in the election campaign also became a subject of discussion among political circles.

Another aspect that attracted attention was the low-profile campaign by local Jana Sena and BJP leaders. Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh, Jana Sena constituency in-charge Atti Satyanarayana and BJP leaders largely stayed away from campaigning. Political observers attributed this to the sensitivity surrounding the NDA partners contesting against one another. The election also highlighted the growing influence of Rajanagaram leaders over the political landscape of the Andhra Paper Mill union polls. More than the leaders from Rajamahendravaram, it was the Rajanagaram leadership that appeared to shape the campaign and electoral strategy. The active involvement of Rajanagaram MLA Battula Balarama Krishna on the Jana Sena side and former Rajanagaram MLA Jakkampudi Raja on behalf of the YSRCP-backed front turned the contest into a showcase of Rajanagaram’s political influence, overshadowing the role played by leaders from Rajamahendravaram.

The election also witnessed unusual ideological alignments. The INTUC, YSRCP Employees Union, CITU, SWWA and Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh contested together despite their parent political parties holding contrasting positions at the State and national levels. Meanwhile, the United Front brought together AITUC, Employees Union, United Employees Union and the Jana Sena Trade Union. The TNTUC entered the contest in alliance with the smaller SKS union.

A total of 711 workers were eligible to vote and 706 exercised their franchise, reflecting a turnout of more than 99%. Since no alliance crossed the 51% threshold, it is learnt that the management is likely to invite two representatives each from all three major fronts as a negotiation committee for future negotiations and agreement talks. Trade union leaders say the arrangement places greater responsibility on all representatives to work together during discussions with the management so that workers’ interests are not affected by political rivalry.

The result is also being viewed as a morale booster for Jana Sena Party in Rajamahendravaram. With its supported front polling the highest number of votes, party leaders are expected to press for a stronger share in the upcoming municipal and local body elections. The paper mill verdict, though confined to a trade union election, has already begun shaping the political conversation in the city.