Seethakka's son Surya eyes Pinapaka

Mulugu: Yet another heir apparent seems to be willing to foray into politics. Surya, the only son of Mulugu Congress MLA Seethakka alias Danasari Anasuya is keen to contest from Pinapaka Assembly constituency in Bhadradri-Kothagudem district. It may be mentioned here that Rega Kantha Rao had won from Pinapaka on Congress ticket in the 2018 elections. Kantha Rao is one among the 12 Congress MLAs who collectively merged with the BRS (earlier known as TRS) in 2019.

Barring a few candidates former MLA Chanda Lingaiah's son Santhosh, Batta Vijay Gandhi and Poleboina Srivani, no prominent leader who could make an impact on voters, predominantly Adivasis, is vying for the Congress ticket from Pinapaka.It could come as a huge ad vantage for the 33-year-old Surya. Moreover, Seethakka has a considerable sway over the region spread across Mulugu, Bhupalpally, Pinapaka and Bhadrachalam constituencies. In fact, her local connections in Pinapaka and Bhadrachalam constituencies helped the Congress candidates Rega Kantha Rao and Podem Veeraiah win the election in 2018.

Speaking to The Hans India, Surya said, "I would like to contest from Pinapaka; however, it depends on the Congress leadership. I will abide by the party's decision like a true soldier. I have a lot of following in Pinapaka constituency. The cadres want me to contest. The Congress vote bank in Pinapaka is intact despite some leaders' defection to the BRS. No less 30,000 voters are committed Congress followers. People in the region still remember the development that took place during the Congress government." "I want to work for the empowerment of the community which I hail from," Surya said. In fact, Surya has been in touch with the people in Pinapaka constituency besides maintaining his mother's contacts. He visits the constituency thrice a week while spending another three days in Mulugu assisting his mother.

It may be mentioned here that several senior politicians tried tickets for their heirs ahead of 2018 elections; however, none of them succeeded. Konda Surekha-Muralidhar Rao's daughter Sushmitha, Kadiyam Srihari's daughter Kavya and Azmeera Chandulal's son Prahlad were among those who tried for the ticket and were disappointed.