Counting votes has begun in the important Pulivendula Assembly constituency in Kadapa. Yeduguri Sandinti Jagan Mohan Reddy, also known as YS Jagan, the current Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, is seeking his third consecutive win. YS Jagan started his political career in 2009 and has become a prominent figure in Andhra Pradesh politics. He is now aiming for a third term as Chief Minister. The focus is now on opening the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), creating an atmosphere of anticipation.
Pulivendula has a rich political history and has been a stronghold of the YSR family for the past 46 years. The late YS Rajasekhara Reddy, Jagan’s father and a former Chief Minister, won this seat in 1978 on a Congress ticket. Since then, the family has maintained an unbroken streak of winning 13 consecutive elections, including three by-polls. YS Jagan has represented this constituency for the past two terms and aims for a third term, continuing the family's legacy in Pulivendula.
The main challenger in this election is TDP’s Mareddy Ravindranath Reddy, also known as BTech Ravi. He gained recognition by defeating YSR’s brother, YS Vivekananda Reddy, in the 2017 MLC elections. The main question now is whether Ravi can break the family’s long-standing control in Pulivendula and if he can significantly reduce Jagan’s previous winning margin of around 90,000 votes. In the last election, YS Jagan secured 73.48 per cent of the votes, a significant lead over his TDP competitor. This time, BTech Ravi aims to make the competition tighter, confident that the electronic voting machines (EVMs) will favour him. It’s important to note that the TDP has never won the Pulivendula Assembly constituency.
Adding to the election's complexity is the involvement of YS Jagan's sister, YS Sharmila, who is running for the Kadapa Lok Sabha seat. Her entry into the political arena could influence the prospects of her cousin, YS Avinash Reddy, a two-time MP and an accused in the murder of YS Vivekananda Reddy. This family dynamic adds another layer of intrigue to the unfolding political drama in Pulivendula. Sharmila's participation could split the family's vote bank and impact the election outcome in Pulivendula.
Pulivendula, which previously needed more basic infrastructure, has seen significant development under the leadership of YSR and Jagan. YSR's contributions were recognised by renaming the Kadapa district in his honour. Key projects include establishing Yogi Vemana University, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), an airport, industrial parks, and advanced irrigation initiatives. These efforts have improved the residents' quality of life and boosted the region's economic growth.
Despite these developments, there has been a shift in voter sentiment. The bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, leading to the creation of Telangana, had a significant impact on the YSR family. Once united in its political goals, the family became divided over the bifurcation issue. Jagan and Sharmila parted ways politically, with Sharmila founding the YSR Telangana Party, which she later merged with Congress. This shift in the political landscape has created uncertainty and could influence the election outcome in Pulivendula.
TDP and its allies are looking to take advantage of this family rift. BTech Ravi, bolstered by favourable exit polls, confidently states, "Jagan has lost popularity. People want Chandrababu Naidu back in power. We are confident of victory." The TDP, which has never won Pulivendula, aims to change history in this election. A victory in Pulivendula could significantly boost the morale of the TDP and its allies and potentially impact the political landscape of Andhra Pradesh.
Since its formation in 1955, Pulivendula has seen various political shifts, but it has been mainly under the control of the YSR family since 1978. The constituency encompasses seven mandals — Simhadripuram, Lingala, Thonduru, Pulivendula, Vemula, Vempalle, and Chakarayapeta. Penchakala Basi Reddy won the first election from the Congress, but he lost to Chava Bali Reddy, an independent, in 1962. Basi Reddy regained the seat in 1967 and retained it in 1972. YS Rajasekhara Reddy held the seat from 1978 to 1989 before contesting for the Kadapa Lok Sabha seat in 1989, which his younger brother YS Vivekananda Reddy then won.
Under YSR's leadership, the constituency saw rapid development. During his term as Chief Minister from 2004 to 2009, Pulivendula was upgraded to a Grade-II municipality. The entire Kadapa district also experienced significant growth, with projects such as elevating the Kadapa PG centre to Yogi Vemana University, establishing RIMS, an airport, Kopparthy Industrial Park, and the Kadapa Ring Road.
In the last five years, Jagan has overseen the establishment of a medical college, a new hospital, a nursing college, an APSRTC bus stand, town beautification projects, a mini-secretariat, and advancements in agriculture and horticulture. With Jagan occupied with his duties as Chief Minister in Tadepalle, Kadapa MP YS Avinash Reddy has managed the constituency.
Despite the government's efforts, there are concerns about unfulfilled promises. For example, micro-irrigation projects have slowly materialised, leaving farmers disappointed. Out of 7,000 proposed Jagananna houses, fewer than 300 have been built. The water grid project, which had a budget of ₹480 crore, is progressing slowly. Efforts to provide safe drinking water to villages affected by UCIL have also been incomplete. Some voters believe that job creation should have been prioritised over infrastructure beautification. These concerns reflect the voters' expectations and could impact the election outcome.
As the vote counting progresses, tension is palpable. The question on everyone's mind is whether YS Jagan will secure a third term or if TDP’s BTech Ravi will stage an upset. The answer will soon be revealed as the votes are tallied. The outcome of this election is not just about the political future of Pulivendula but also about the larger political landscape of Andhra Pradesh. Stay tuned for live updates from the counting centre in Pulivendula.
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