The elections might be two years away in Andhra Pradesh, but the political heat has already begun. The politics are simmering and in every constituency of the state, the major political parties are looking to consolidate their supporters and win over major castes, who could play the decider. Politically dynamic Rajahmundry urban and rural seats too are witnessing intense political activity these days. All the three major parties â the ruling YSRCP, opposition TDP and the Jana Sena â are now trying to win various key castes to their side.
The TDP is led by veteran politician Gorantla Butchaiah Chowdary, while the YSRCP has leaders like former MLA Routhu Suryaprakasa Rao, former MLA Akula Veerraju and constituency incharge Chandana Nageswara Rao. The Jana Sena is led by former MLC Kandula Durgesh.
Though most of the major politicians are from either the Kamma or the Kapu castes, the group that holds the key is the BC community. The BCs like the Koppula Velamas, Turpu Kapus, Setti Balijas play the decider. In 2014 and 2019, the BCs in Rajahmundry sided with Butchaih Chowdary a Kamma. Their traditional rivalry with the Kapus seems to have influenced the BCs towards the TDP candidate in Rajahmundry.
But, the YSRCP has made Chandana Nageswara Rao, a BC its incharge this time. So, will the luck smile on the YSRCP this time? What if Kandula Durgesh gets the Rajahmundry ticket in the event of an alliance between the TDP and the Jana Sena?
Will the BCs move towards the YSRCP? What if Butchaiah gets the ticket again? Several interesting possibilities, but it remains to be seen how things take shape in the coming days.
But, one thing is clear. It is the BCs who have the winning cards up their sleeves in Rajahmundry.
The TDP is led by veteran politician Gorantla Butchaiah Chowdary, while the YSRCP has leaders like former MLA Routhu Suryaprakasa Rao, former MLA Akula Veerraju and constituency incharge Chandana Nageswara Rao. The Jana Sena is led by former MLC Kandula Durgesh.
Though most of the major politicians are from either the Kamma or the Kapu castes, the group that holds the key is the BC community. The BCs like the Koppula Velamas, Turpu Kapus, Setti Balijas play the decider. In 2014 and 2019, the BCs in Rajahmundry sided with Butchaih Chowdary a Kamma. Their traditional rivalry with the Kapus seems to have influenced the BCs towards the TDP candidate in Rajahmundry.
But, the YSRCP has made Chandana Nageswara Rao, a BC its incharge this time. So, will the luck smile on the YSRCP this time? What if Kandula Durgesh gets the Rajahmundry ticket in the event of an alliance between the TDP and the Jana Sena?
Will the BCs move towards the YSRCP? What if Butchaiah gets the ticket again? Several interesting possibilities, but it remains to be seen how things take shape in the coming days.
But, one thing is clear. It is the BCs who have the winning cards up their sleeves in Rajahmundry.