BRS in rethink mode in Khammam: Fears of Tummala-Bhatti-Ponguleti Axis

The ruling BRS is now said to be doing a post-mortem about the fallout of its decisions in Khammam district. The party is now said to be worried about the possibility of senior leader, Kamma stalwart and former minister Tummala Nageswara Rao joining hands with the Congress to prove his strength. The BRS has refused the Paler ticket to him and did not make any efforts to mollify him. This reportedly miffed Tummala, who is getting ready to teach the BRS a 'lesson.'

The BRS boss is said to be assessing the possibility of the formation of the Tummala-Ponguleti-Bhatti Vikramarka axis. Bhatti is a strong leader in Manthani region and Ponguleti, who has recently joined the Congress after KCR ignored his claims, is a powerful leader with considerable influence across the district. Tummala has wide contacts in the district and is considered a Kamma icon in Khammam politics.

This, according to BRS insiders, could alienate the Kamma community in the district. The Kammas are a strong vote block in the district. Not just that. It could also have an impact on the Kamma voters across the state, especially the twin cities, where the Kammas decide the winner in at least four seats.

Already, the BRS boss reportedly instructed Puvvada Ajay, the only Kamma minister in his cabinet, to reach out to the Kamma community leaders. Fears are being expressed that the BRS may lose all the seats in the district if Ponguleti, a Reddy, Tummala, a Kamma and Bhatti, a Dalit, come together. In fact, Khammam has been BRS party's Achilles' Heel for quite some time. It could win only one seat from the district in the last two assembly elections. It managed to increase its strength only by engineering defections from other parties.