Can TDP win YSR family's stronghold Kadapa LS seat?

Kadapa: The Kadapa Lok Sabha will witness tough contest between the TDP and YSRCP in the ensuing elections. The YSRCP gave ticket to sitting MP YS Avinash Reddy and TDP fielded Adinarayana Reddy, who is sitting MLA of Jammalamadugu Assembly constituency.

In 2014 elections, Adinarayana won as MLA on YSRCP symbol and defected to the TDP. The Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency compromises of 7 Assembly segments. They are Kadapa, Badvel, Jammalamadugu, Pulivendula, Kamalapuram, Proddatur and Mydukur. Since 1989, the Kadapa Lok Sabha seat was represented by former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, his brother YS Vivekananda Reddy, YSRCP chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy and YS Avinash Reddy.

The ruling TDP was able to win support of some sections of people by bringing Krishna water to Pulivendula Assembly constituency, increasing storage capacity of Gandikota reservoir, releasing pending funds under Rehabilitation & Resettlement (R&R) package to the Gandikota displaced and giving priority to horticulture in Pulivendula. The murder of YS Vivekananda Reddy has created sensation across the State especially in the district just before the elections. The YSRCP and TDP trade charges against other over YS Viveka murder.

The TD government succeeded to stop sympathy wave to turn into votes for the YSRCP by arresting close followers of YS Vivekananda Reddy. Recently, the TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu addressed an election rally in Pulivendula as part of his poll campaign. It evoked good response from the people.

Chandrababu alleged that the YSR family is implementing Jagan Service Tax (JST) by threatening people.

It will be a close contest between the YSRCP and TDP. In 2014 elections, YS Avinash Reddy had defeated TDP rival R Srinivasa Reddy with a margin of 1,90,323 votes. According to 2018 voter list, there are 12,76,334 voters and SC percentage is 16.09 as per 2011 census.