This election left a bad taste in the mouth for APCC president and former minister N Raghuveera Reddy. In fact, nobody even talked about him during the runup to the elections.
Raghuveera was MLA for Kalyanadurga assembly constituency in Anantapur from 2009 to 2014. He had done some work in the constituency and had even beautified some parts of the town. He had also got funds allocated for the town as he was a minister too. But during the 2014 elections, he had decided to contest from Penukonda constituency. This decision was taken especially in the aftermath of the bifurcation of the state. He felt Penukonda would be an easier place to win. But, got a sound drubbing and stood a poor third.
This time around, he went back to Kalyanadurg and was confident that his past record would see him through. His family members have campaigned intensively for him. His daughter worked very hard for him in the constituency. The dissidence in the TDP was also seen to be favourable for him. In fact, sitting MLA Hanumantha Raya Chowdary, who was denied a ticket, entered the fray as a rebel. Raghuveera felt this would help him in a big way. But, the party leadership made Chowdary withdraw from the contest. Then, there was a buzz that the TDP would help him sail through. But, when the votes were counted, Raghuveera did not just lose, he had also forfeited his security deposit. The YSRCP has won from this constituency by a handsome 20000 vote margin.
Raghuveera was MLA for Kalyanadurga assembly constituency in Anantapur from 2009 to 2014. He had done some work in the constituency and had even beautified some parts of the town. He had also got funds allocated for the town as he was a minister too. But during the 2014 elections, he had decided to contest from Penukonda constituency. This decision was taken especially in the aftermath of the bifurcation of the state. He felt Penukonda would be an easier place to win. But, got a sound drubbing and stood a poor third.
This time around, he went back to Kalyanadurg and was confident that his past record would see him through. His family members have campaigned intensively for him. His daughter worked very hard for him in the constituency. The dissidence in the TDP was also seen to be favourable for him. In fact, sitting MLA Hanumantha Raya Chowdary, who was denied a ticket, entered the fray as a rebel. Raghuveera felt this would help him in a big way. But, the party leadership made Chowdary withdraw from the contest. Then, there was a buzz that the TDP would help him sail through. But, when the votes were counted, Raghuveera did not just lose, he had also forfeited his security deposit. The YSRCP has won from this constituency by a handsome 20000 vote margin.