Pawan Kalyan follows the Pulivendula formula

Kapu dominated segment…Vanga Geeta YSRCP’s choice

But unique history…

Mudragada faced jolt…

Two independents selected  

Patibandla Srinivas

([email protected])

Amaravati: March 15: Of late, the Pithapuram Assembly constituency is the center of attraction in Andhra Pradesh politics. Film hero and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan selected the Pithapuram Assembly segment as his choice for contesting the forthcoming elections.

It may be recalled that he faced defeat in Bhimavaram and Gajuwaka in the 2019 elections. He failed in his first attempt to be elected to the Assembly. In spite of the jolt he continued in state politics. Now he is again testing his luck by taking support from the TDP under the election alliance.

As per sources, Kapu voters are the highest population in Pithapuram Assembly limits. Nearly 70,000 Kapu voters are in the segment with a total of 2.20 lakh voters. It is one of the reasons, he simply selected Pithapuram constituency. Several of his well-wishers suggested that Pithapuram is a safe place.

For instance, they showcased Pulivendula Assembly segment as an example where there is the highest Reddy population. Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and his family members have been elected continuously since 1978. The highest population of Reddys is also one of the main reasons for the continuous success of YS Rajasekhar Reddy family.

Analysing the grass roots-level information from different quarters Pawan Kalyan selected Pithapuram Assembly as a safe place. Though Kapu community has the highest population, Pithapuram has a unique track record. Sangiseety Veerabhadra Rao and present TDP constituency leader SVSN Varma both were elected as independents. Vadrevu Gopala Krishna, and P Thammaraju were elected from Praja Party in 1955 and 1960 elections. RV Jagga Rao was the first MLA elected from the Communist Party of India in 1962. Congress party won five times, TDP won three times, BJP and Praja Rajyam party won each one time. Interestingly sitting MLA Pendem Dora Babu was elected from BJP in 2004 and YSR Congress in 2019. As per the sources, YSR Congress has plans to field Vanga Veeta who was elected from erstwhile Praja Rajyam from Pithapuram in the 2009 elections against Pawan Kalyan. Similarly, the family members of Mudragada are also on the proposals list of the YSR Congress.