TDP shifts focus to Proddatur amid internal factional tensions
Political circles in the State are abuzz after the Telugu Desam Party’s reported move to shift focus to the politically sensitive Proddatur constituency in Kadapa
Political circles in the State are abuzz after the Telugu Desam Party’s reported move to shift focus to the politically sensitive Proddatur constituency in Kadapa district. The recent visit of the party’s working president, Nara Lokesh, to the constituency has heightened the buzz. Even though party sources denied any such intention, an official tour by Swachhandra Corporation chairman and the party’s national spokesperson Kommareddy Pattabhiram to Proddatur fuelled the rumours. Known for its gold trade, Proddatur is considered the financial hub of the entire Rayalaseema region, besides being the political nerve centre of northern Kadapa.
The 42,000 Reddy, 35,000 Muslim and 15,000 SC/Christian voters have a decisive say among the constituency’s estimated 2.30 lakh voters. Any development in this constituency bears significant impact on its contiguous segments like Jammalamadugu, Mydukur, Pulivendula, and Kamalapuram. However, beneath the ‘feel-good factor’ are the ripples within the party caused by the three factions led by the party’s si time MLA Nandyala Varadarajulu Reddy; e MLA Mallela Linga Reddy; and youth leader G.V. Praveen Kumar Reddy. Varadarajulu Reddy, a contemporary of the Late Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, won the Assembly elections in 1985, 1989, 1994, 1999, and 2004 (the first from the TDP and subsequently on Congress tickets).
Even Late Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy maintained strategic relations with him, as the Pedakanti Reddys, a sub-sect to which Varadarajulu Reddy belongs, has huge presence in Proddatur as well as Pulivendula. On the other hand, Praveen Reddy is yet to make his impact, while the 2009 MLA Linga Reddy is making a vain bid to bounce back. Meanwhile, while Sivaprasad Reddy fiercely attacked the government on charges of corruption over the last two years, it is widely felt that the TDP, due to its internal rifts, failed to defend itself.
However, the leaders started hitting back after Mr. Lokesh’s visit, which is apparently indicative of a ‘message from the top.’ As no MLA from Proddatur has ever been inducted into the State cabinet so far, veteran leader Varadarajulu Reddy is reportedly hopeful ahead of a possible cabinet reshuffle.
The BriefWire