Nandyal bypoll: TDP in a spot over Bhuma’s successor

​Nandyal: As the Election of Commission of India (ECI) is in a bind over holding byelections in various Assembly constituencies which fell vacant for different reasons across the country before June to facilitate the Presidential poll, election fever begins to catch up in Nandyal constituency in Kurnool district.

The public mood in the constituency is gradually shifting away from mourning over the sudden demise of their legislator Bhuma Nagi Reddy two weeks ago to brooding over his successor. The TDP to which he defected from the YSRCP seems sparing time to think of spotting a viable candidate to win the byelection.

Contest has become inevitable with the announcement of YSRC president YS Jaganmohan Reddy to field a candidate against the TDP in a striking departure from the prevailing convention in vogue in the Assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies falling vacant due to the death of sitting members.

The ruling TDP appears to be in a dilemma over hand-picking someone from the Bhuma family in order to cash in on sympathy triggered by Bhuma’s death or an outsider from the Bhuma family.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu gave enough indications to anoint Akhila Priya, Nagi Reddy’s daughter and Allagadda MLA, as a minister in the Cabinet expansion which is round the corner. In that case, it is unlikely that the party will nominate another person from the same family, it is said.

If the TDP chooses to continue the legacy of Bhuma family in Nandyal, his son Jagath Vikhyath Reddy’s age is not permitted to contest in the election. One should cross 25 years to attain qualification for contest in the elections as per the guidelines of the ECI. His second daughter Mounika Priya, who is 26, may be considered in that case.

In case the TDP fields Shilpa Mohan Reddy, a realtor and loser in the 2014 Assembly elections, the sympathy factor is unlikely to work in favour of the party. Because Mohan Reddy is an outsider of the Bhuma family and political rival of Nagi Reddy.

According to sources, Brahmananda Reddy, son of Sekhar Reddy, who is Nagi Reddy’s brother, also reportedly aspiring to contest from the TDP. Now responsibility falls on Akhila Priya to avoid split in
the family over the party ticket and is reportedly treading with caution.

Both the YSRCP and the TDP are facing a piquant situation as their cadres have become leaderless for different reasons. The YSRCP is bereft of leader with the defection of Nagi Reddy and the TDP too is facing a similar problem with his death in the constituency.

The YSRCP may have to opt for Rajagopal Reddy, a light weight and relative of Nandyal MP SPY Reddy. If Mohan Reddy becomes the TDP candidate, it is unlikely to put up a show of unity for want of cooperation from the Bhuma group. Nagi Reddy and Mohan Reddy, who were election rivals in 2014 became strange bedfellows with the former’s defection to the TDP.

“Akhila Priya may have to campaign for the TDP’s official nominee in line with the party direction. But her hold in the constituency is limited and Nagi Reddy’s followers are still finding it difficult to bury the hatchet with Mohan Reddy’s group,” commented a senior TDP leader from Kurnool district.