It's between YSRCP, Jana Sena in Punganur

Chittoor: After withdrawal of nomination, six candidates are left in the fray for Punganur Assembly seat. Punganur falls under the Rajampet Parliamentary constituency. The close contest expected between YSRCP candidate Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy and Jana Sena nominee B Ramachandra Yadav.

The TDP fielded N Anisha Reddy, wife of Sridhar Reddy, who is brother of Minister N Amaranatha Reddy. For the first time, she is contesting from Punganur. The constituency used to be stronghold for the TDP when former MP N Ramakrishna Reddy, father of N Amaranatha Reddy had elected as TDP MLA for three times.

In the by-poll held to Punganur in 1996 and in 2004 general elections, Amaranatha Reddy won from Punganur. However, P Ramachandra Reddy contested on YSRCP ticket and won in 2014 elections with a margin of 31,731 votes respectively against his nearest rival. As a result, Amaranatha Reddy had shifted from Punganur to Palamaner Now, Punganur has become stronghold to the YSRCP.

Ramachandra Reddy is playing key role in YSRCP at district-level. It may be recalled here that no other candidate except Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Ramachandra Reddy have won with a margin of 40,000 votes.

The TDP candidate, being a novice, has to toil hard to win over Ramachandra Reddy. The Jana Sena nominee Ramachandra Yadav seems to be the nearest rival to YSRCP candidate, who has got remarkable support from the youth, it is felt.