Pulivendula ZPTC bypoll becomes prestige issue for TDP, YSRCP
Pulivendula is the hometown of former chief ministers YS Rajasekhar Reddy and his son YS Jaganmohan Reddy, while Kadapa is known to be a stronghold of YSRCP. So it is not only a prestige issue to retain the ZPTC seat, YSRCP also wants to reaffirm its firm grip on Pulivendula politics, from where the YS family members have won consecutive assembly elections for over 46 years now.
To retain Pulivendula ZPTC seat, which was won by YSRCP leader Maheshwar Reddy in 2021, YSRCP has fielded his son T Hemanth Reddy.
Maheshwar Reddy died in Feb 2023 following a freak fall from a bullock cart, which necessitated the bypoll. Kadapa MP Y S Avinash Reddy and YSRCP general secretary S V Satish Reddy, who are spearheading YSRCP's bypoll campaign, are majorly relying on YS family's connect with Pulivendula and the sympathy factor following Maheshwar Reddy's demise, to boost his son Hemanth's winning chances.
The TDP-led NDA alliance, which won seven out of 10 assembly seats in Kadapa district, is hell-bent on winning the Pulivendula ZPTC bypoll to make further inroads into Jagan's bastion.
TDP
has fielded M Latha Reddy, wife of its former MLC Mareddy Ravindra Reddy (B Tech Ravi).
The bigwigs of NDA alliance, including MLAs, MLCs, ministers, and MPs are campaigning in Pulivendula to cement the winning prospects of Latha Reddy.
Nandyal MP Byreddy Shabari expressed confidence of breaking the myth of Pulivendula being the bastion of Jagan. "He was the chief minister for five years but couldn't manage to bring any development to his own constituency. Unlike the YSRCP regime, TDP rule has benefited every section of the society.
People of Pulivendula firmly believe that it is the TDP that can bring development to Pulivendula," the TDP MP said.
As many as 11 candidates, including eight independents, have filed nominations to contest the Pulivendula ZPTC by-election. However, the main battle will be between the TDP and YSRCP candidates. Kadapa police remain on high alert following incidents of violence and clashes between the followers of the two parties. Cases have been filed against both TDP and YSRCP leaders, including Kadapa MP Avinash Reddy and his father Y S Bhaskar Reddy.
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