Veterans & novices to bureaucrats & industrialists: These are TDP's newly elected MPs

(L-R) TDP MPs Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Byreddy Shabari and Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani

In a political landscape marked by diversity and dynamism, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) emerged victorious in 16 constituencies across Andhra Pradesh in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. From seasoned leaders with familial political legacies to fresh faces from various professional backgrounds, the TDP's slate of candidates showcased a wide spectrum of talent and experience.

Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu clinched his third consecutive win from the Srikakulam constituency, reinforcing his position as a stalwart leader within the party. Appala Naidu's unexpected nomination in Vizianagaram underscored the TDP's strategic maneuvering, resulting in a resounding victory against his opponent. Sribharat Mathukumili's win in Visakhapatnam marked a remarkable comeback after a narrow defeat in the previous elections, highlighting the party's resilience and support base. Other notable winners include G M Harish Balayogi, Putta Mahesh Kumar, Kesineni Sivanath, and Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, each bringing unique backgrounds and experiences to the political landscape.

Let's delve into the profiles of these elected representatives who have contributed to the party's success in the electoral arena.

Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu: Scores hat-trick

-Won third consecutive time from Srikakulam constituency.
-Defeated Tilak Perada of YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) by a margin of 3.2 lakh votes.
-National general secretary of the Chandrababu Babu-led party.
-Son of former senior TDP leader and Union minister K Yerran Naidu.

Appala Naidu: Party's last-minute pick

-Surprise last-minute pick by Chandrababu Naidu as TDP's candidate from Vizianagaram.
-Won against Bellana Chandrashekar of YSRCP by 2.4 lakh votes.
-Former journalist with an LLB degree.
-Elected to Ponduru Agricultural Marketing Committee.

Sribharat Mathukumili: Debut victory

-President of Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (Deemed University).
-Won from Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha seat.
-Defeated Botcha Jhansi of YSRCP by over 5lakh votes.
-Marked first electoral win after losing in 2019 with a narrow margin.

G M Harish Balayogi: Resilient heir

-Son of former Lok Sabha Speaker late GMC Balayogi.
-Won from Amalapuram (SC) Lok Sabha seat for the first ti.e
-Defeated YSRCP’s heavyweight R Varaprasad Rao by over 3 lakh votes.
-Tested luck for the second time, lost in 2019 by a margin of 39,000 votes.

Putta Mahesh Kumar: Fresh face in politics

-Businessman, elected for the first time from Eluru constituency.
-Won against Karumuri Sunil Kumar of YSRCP by 1.8 lakh votes.
-Son of TDP leader and MLA Sudhakar Yadav.

Kesineni Sivanath: Family feud fighter

-Popularly known as Kesineni Chinni.
-Won from Vijayawada constituency, defeating brother Kesinani Srinivas of YSRCP.
-Brother of former two-time TDP MP Kesinani Srinivas.

Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani: Doctor & founder of UWorld

-Doctor and founder-cum-CEO of UWorld, an online learning platform
-One of the wealthiest contestants with assets worth Rs 5,705 crore
-Defeated Kilari Vekata Rosaiah of YSRCP by 3.4 lakh votes in Guntur.
-Family members have been supporters of TDP for a long time now.

Lavu Srikrishna Devarayalu: Controversial comeback

-Won second time from Narasaraopet seat, this time as TDP candidate.
-Won on YSRP ticket in 2019 elections.
-Accused by YSRCP of taking police favours on poll day.
-Defeated YSRCP’s Anil Kumar Poluboina by 1.5 lakh votes.

Tenneti Krishna Prasad: Policing politician

-Former IPS officer and Telangana DGP.
-Won from Bapatla (SC) seat by defeating Nandigam Suresh Babu of YSRCP by a margin of 2.08 lakh votes.
-Joined BJP last July but got ticket from TDP for his poll debut.
-Runs NGO Krishna Prasad Foundation.

Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy: Party-hopper

-Four-time MP from Ongole.
-Quit YSRCP and joined TDP.
-Won against Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy of YSRCP by 50,199 votes.

Dr Byreddy Shabari: Political scion

-Elected from Nandyal seat for the first time.
-Daughter of founder of Rayalaseema Parirakshana Samithi.
-Defeated Pocha Brahmananda Reddy of YSRCP by 1.1 lakh votes.
-Byreddy Shabari is the only woman MP of the TDP now.

Ambika Lakshminarayana Valmiki: Electoral newcomer

-Elected from Anantapur parliamentary seat for the first time.
-Defeated Malagundla Sankar Narayana of YSRCP by 1.8 lakh votes.

Bastipati Nagaraju Panchalingala: First-time winner

-Trounced BY Ramaiah of YSRCP by 1.1 lakh votes in Kurnool.
-Worked as a government college lecturer before entering politics.

BK Parthasarathi: Political persistor

-Two-time TDP MLA from Penukonda.
-Won from Hindupur seat despite BJP’s bid.
-Beat J Shantha of YSRCP by 1.3 lakh votes.
-TTD board member.

Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy: Business to politics

-Founder of VPR Mining Infra Pvt Ltd.
-Joined TDP after quitting YSRCP.
-Won from Nellore seat, defeating Vijaysai Reddy by 2.4 lakh votes.
-Elected to Rajya Sabha in March 2018.

Daggumalla Prasada Rao: Corporate crossover

-Director of Radhey Constructions Pvt. Ltd.
-Won from Chittoor (SC) constituency.
-Defeated YSRCP's N Reddeppa by 2.2 lakh votes.
-Former IRS officer.

In the Lok Sabha Elections of 2024 in Andhra Pradesh, Chandrababu Naidu's Telugu Desam Party (TDP) emerged victorious, surpassing Jagan Mohan Reddy's YSRCP. Securing a total of 16 out of the 25 seats in the southern state, the TDP, along with its ally BJP, which won three seats, claimed a significant victory. Meanwhile, the YSRCP's representation dwindled to just four Lok Sabha seats.

(Source: Indian Express)