Temple lands dominant issue

Visakhapatnam: Pendurthy Assembly constituency, half of whose voters are migrants, has never elected any candidate twice. The constituency is a mix of higher, middle and lower income groups. Pendurthy has Parawada, Sabbavaram, Pendurty mandals and half of Pedagantyada mandal. It has around 2.40 lakh voters, of which 1.25 lakh are male and 1.15 lakh voters are female.

Though there are a number of long-pending issues in the constituency, the major one is Srivarahalakshmi Nrusmima Swami (Simhachalam) devasthanam lands. More than half of the disputed lands of the temple are located in the constituency.

The government tried to resolve the vexed issue of Simhachalam devastanam lands at last-minute by dividing regularisation process of lands and house sites into five categories, thousands of families are not happy as the process has not yet began.

Another issue is road widening at the Pendurthy junction for the Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS). The Pendurthy junction is the origin of two major BRTS corridors. Almost 96 per cent of the BRTS works have been completed, but the main bus station of the BRTS has not yet started at Pendurthy junction.

During the 2009 elections, Panchakarla Ramesh Babu, a shipping businessman, was elected from the seat on PRP ticket by defeating his nearest Congress rival Gandi Babjee with a majority of 3,200 votes.

In 20014 elections, TDP candidate and former minister Bandaru Satyanarayana Murty won over YSR Congress candidate Gandi Babjee with a majority of 18,648 votes. All major castes including Kapu, Velama, Brahmin and Kshatriya have their presence in significant numbers in the constituency.

Besides, the constituency witnessed many a developmental work in the last five years, including upgrading of government hospitals, new school buildings and the schools. Works of Rs 2,400 crore national high way between Anakapalle-Pendurthy-Anantapur have also began. In addition, several government housing colonies are under various stages of construction.

Though Jana Sena has thrown its hat in the ring this time, the main fight is likely to be between TDP and YSRCP. YSR Congress Party has already announced its constituency coordinator Adeep Raj as its candidate from the seat. Though Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy, the sitting MLA of TDP, is very strong aspirant, the party is still maintaining a suspense which can be lifted soon. Jana Sena Party fielded Ch Venkataramaiah.