Thu Feb 27 00:35:00 UTC 2025: ## Rival Teacher Unions Clash Ahead of Andhra Pradesh MLC Elections

**Vijayawada, February 27, 2025** – A battle of competing interests is brewing ahead of Thursday’s Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council elections, with rival teacher unions and youth organizations openly backing different candidates. The conflict centers on two factions of the Andhra Pradesh Teachers’ Federation (APTF), one claiming to be the original organization established in 1947, and a splinter group formed in 1938.

The older APTF is supporting candidates Alapati Rajendra Prasad (Krishna-Guntur Graduate constituency), Pera Battula Rajasekhar (East and West Godavari Graduate constituency), and their own candidate, Pakalapati Raghu Varma (Uttarandhra Teachers’ constituency). They warn voters to be wary of misleading statements from the rival faction.

The 1938 APTF faction, however, backs K.S. Lakshmana Rao (Krishna-Guntur Graduate constituency) from the Progressive Democratic Front (PDF). They emphasize the need for MLCs who understand the issues faced by teachers, employees, and other groups, and who will advocate for their rights. They also caution against the increased influence of political parties in these elections.

Adding to the complexity, two factions of the Andhra Pradesh Unemployed Joint Action Committee (JAC) are supporting candidates backed by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), citing the government’s efforts to address societal problems. However, the Democratic Youth Federation of India criticizes the government’s inaction regarding Group-II services aspirants and the delayed ‘Mega DSC’ recruitment drive, urging voters to support candidates committed to youth employment. The competing endorsements highlight the deep divisions within these groups and the high stakes of the upcoming elections.

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