Nandyal By-Election verdict to Set Stage for 2019 Assembly Battle in AP

The critical by-poll results could either be a booster for the Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP government or give Jagan Reddy a much-needed rise in Andhra Pradesh politics. The result will also have bearings on the future of a BJP-TDP alliance in the state. Stakes are too high for both the parties here and that is why Nandyal saw high-pitched campaigns of both Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and YRS Congress Party chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.

In the politically heated campaign, Jagan Mohan Reddy urged people to give a big mandate to the party and take revenge on Naidu for not fulfilling his promises. He called the election a war between the "right" and the "wrong".

TDP on the other hand, had promised many development schemes, if they win. With several controversial statements during campaign, Nandyal managed to trend on national news.

An FIR was also registered against Reddy after the Election Commission found him guilty of violating the Model Code of Conduct. During an election rally, Jagan had made an objectionable statement saying, "If Chandrababu Naidu is shot in middle of road for his misdeeds it’s nothing wrong”.