YSRCP, TD may upset Vangaveeti Radha, Devineni Avinash’s applecart

Vijayawada: The late former minister Devineni Rajasekhar (Nehru) and Vangaveeti Mohan Ranga had played a remarkable role in the state politics in the past. They had dominated not only city politics but also various sectors in Vijayawada. 

Interestingly, political descendants of Nehru and Ranga -Devineni Avinash and Vangaveeti Radhakrishna- are being offered seats for other segments in Krishna district instead of constituencies where their fathers had represented in the city. Though Devineni and Vangaveeti families have a still sizable number of supporters in the city but their names are being considered for constituencies other than the city.

Devineni Nehru won four times from Kankipadu and one time from Vijayawada East constituency. Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga was elected once, his wife Vangaveeti Ratna Kumari was elected twice and Vangaveeti Radhakrishna was also elected once from Vijayawada city. The two families dominated the city politics and also all the sectors, including trade.  

All administrative issues and students’ activities were done with their intervention only. The Vangaveeti family launched the United Independent (UI) Student Union,  later the Devineni family established United Students Organisation (USO).  

Indeed, Vangaveeti Radhakrishna was elected for the Assembly from Congress in 2004 but he joined Prajarajyam in 2009. He was defeated consecutively in 2009 and 2014 elections. 

He contested from YSR Congress in 2014 elections. But now the YSR Congress leadership has given option from Machiliaptnam Parliament seat to Radhakrishna. Though he is keen to contest from Vijayawada Central but the YSR Congress did not consider his wish.

Besides, Devineni Avinash contested from Vijayawada parliamentary constituency in 2014 elections from Congress party by entering first time in direct politics. But he was defeated in his first election but he got good recognition. 

Now the demise of his father Devineni Nehru confined his role. Indeed, he has strong supporters in the city especially in Vijayawada East constituency but TDP leadership is pursuing his candidature for Nuzvid Assembly segment. But how the supporters of Devineni Nehru would react is yet to be ascertained.