In a dramatic turn of events, the Andhra Pradesh MLC election witnessed what is now being described as one of the costliest nomination filings in the state's political history. This extraordinary development unfolded during the nomination process of BJP candidate Somu Veerraju, which involved multiple complications, last-minute approvals, and two special flights to ensure the documentation was completed before the deadline.
 

The Nomination Crisis

The Andhra Pradesh MLC election nomination deadline was set at 3:30 PM yesterday. Despite the ruling NDA alliance’s overwhelming majority in the assembly, BJP's nomination process faced a last-minute hurdle that nearly disqualified their candidate. The primary issue emerged when the AP BJP office realized that they were missing the essential B Form required for Somu Veerraju’s nomination. This document, crucial for nomination eligibility, must carry the signatures of the national president and the state president along with the candidate’s signature.
 

A Race Against Time

The missing B Form was discovered around 10:30 AM yesterday, revealing that the document was still at the BJP’s head office in Hyderabad. To address this, BJP leaders immediately arranged for a special flight to transport the document from Hyderabad to Gannavaram airport. However, the document also required the signature of AP BJP President Daggubati Purandeshwari, who was attending a parliamentary session in Delhi. Realizing the urgency of the situation, Purandeshwari boarded a second special flight from Delhi to Gannavaram to sign the papers.
 

Emergency Plan in Action

Despite the swift action, delays in Purandeshwari’s travel added more pressure as the nomination cut-off time was rapidly approaching. In response, BJP leadership authorized BJP secretary Kasi Viswanadha Raju to sign the nomination papers on Purandeshwari’s behalf, ensuring the process could proceed in her absence. Eventually, the paperwork was finalized, and Somu Veerraju successfully filed his nomination just 15 minutes before the 3:30 PM deadline.
 

Aftermath and Reactions

By the time Purandeshwari arrived at the Andhra Pradesh assembly, the nomination process had already concluded. She later met with Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and local BJP leaders, including Somu Veerraju, to discuss the dramatic events of the day. The excessive use of resources, including two special flights and multiple layers of coordination, has drawn public attention. Political analysts are now calling this the costliest nomination filing in the history of Andhra Pradesh’s MLC elections.
 

Political Significance

Despite the logistical chaos, BJP's nomination victory in Andhra Pradesh reinforces their firm presence in state politics. With the NDA's strong majority in the assembly, the successful filing of Somu Veerraju’s nomination demonstrates BJP's determination to ensure their candidate’s participation. The chaotic yet ultimately successful nomination of Somu Veerraju highlights the lengths political parties may go to secure their candidates’ positions. This high-stakes incident underscores the strategic intensity of Indian politics, where last-minute decisions and extraordinary measures can shape electoral outcomes. As Andhra Pradesh gears up for its MLC elections, this dramatic episode will likely remain one of the most talked-about events in recent political history.