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D. Purandeswari, among the mere six BJP contenders in the state’s parliamentary election, is counting on the support of the Jana Sena Party (JSP) to secure backing from the Kapu community. In rural areas, where sentiments against Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy are waning, villagers are expressing loyalty to his government’s welfare initiatives.
Tea Stall Talk: Reconsidering Political Allegiances in Rajahmundry
Image source: Just Dial
At a tea stall on Main Road in Rajahmundry town of Andhra Pradesh, a middle-aged man confidently asserts to his friends that they won’t support Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy in the upcoming elections and won’t allow others to do so either. Reflecting on their decision to vote for him in 2019, they acknowledge it as a mistake. Their conversation then shifts to other topics of daily life, with their consensus evident.
Similar sentiments are resonating in other urban and semi-urban areas within the Rajahmundry Lok Sabha constituency, which is gearing up for a fiercely contested battle. The competition involves the state BJP leader Daggubati Purandeswari, the YSRCP’s “local” candidate Gudur Srinivas, and former Andhra Pradesh Congress chief Gidugu Rudra Raju. This constituency is among the six contested by the BJP under its coalition with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and JanaSena Party (JSP).
Overview of Rajahmundry Parliamentary Constituency: Current Representation and Electoral Dynamics
Image source: India.com
The parliamentary constituency, spanning East and West Godavari districts, comprises seven Assembly segments: Rajahmundry Urban, Rajahmundry Rural, Kovvur, Rajanagaram, Gopalapuram, Nidadavole, and Anaparthy. Presently, it is held by the YSRCP’s Margani Bharat, who is contesting from the Rajahmundry Urban segment in the concurrent Assembly elections as well.
In the rural areas of the parliamentary constituency, the opposition sentiment towards the YSRCP appears less pronounced as residents highly appreciate the Jagan government’s nine welfare programs, known as Navaratnalu (Nine Gems). Many of these YSRCP welfare initiatives primarily benefit women.
BJP’s Election Strategy: Development Agenda and Targeting State Debt in Andhra Pradesh
Image source: The Print
The BJP’s focus in the election campaign is on development and “eliminating the state’s debt caused by Jagan.” In the 2019 elections, the party failed to secure any seats, despite winning two seats in alliance with the TDP in 2014.
Ramakrishna, a 54-year-old resident of Kappalakunta village, articulates that despite the diversion of attention from developmental projects, they are backing Jagan due to the vital support his initiatives offer for their survival. He highlights the benefits their family members receive from pension schemes, as well as the Ammavodi and Rythu Bharosa programs, which provide annual financial assistance to mothers of school-going children and farmers, respectively. Gopalapuram, while attending a roadshow led by the BJP’s Purandeswari.
YSRCP
Image source: The Economic Times
In the background, a woman, who chooses not to disclose her name, steps forward to express her support for the YSRCP. “My child attends an English-medium school, all thanks to Jagan. He has transformed our lives and is striving to secure a better future for our children,” she asserts.
As the state BJP chief’s roadshow pauses at a residence in the neighboring village of Gummingunta, a crowd gathers to catch a glimpse of her. However, discussions about Jagan’s welfare initiatives persist, even as Purandeswari’s supporters chant slogans.
The Rajahmundry Lok Sabha constituency is predominantly inhabited by Kapus, and the BJP is counting on its partnership with the JSP to rally the community’s votes in its favor. JSP leader Pawan Kalyan, a prominent actor-turned-politician, belongs to the Kapu community.
As TDP Gopalapuram MLA M Venkata Raju takes the stage, a group of women engage in a conversation regarding Purandeswari’s decision to contest from Rajahmundry instead of Visakhapatnam, which she won in 2009. “I believe it’s solely due to the caste factor,” one of them suggests, while another woman interjects, “We must vote for Jagan, regardless of who the candidate is.”
Women Voters and Welfare Schemes: YSRCP’s Key Strategy for Electoral Success
Image source: The Hindu
YSRCP leaders acknowledge that women voters and beneficiaries are pivotal to the party’s electoral success. “While urban areas present challenges, the influence of women voters and beneficiaries in rural regions will be pivotal. Jagan’s welfare schemes will be our trump card,” remarks Talari Mohan Rao, a close associate of Kovvur MLA Talari Venkat Rao.
Another party leader, B Raju, exudes confidence and asserts that Purandeswari’s candidacy has made Srinivas’s campaign much easier. “Srinivas has served the people for years and is deeply rooted in this constituency. Why would anyone opt for a candidate who isn’t from Rajahmundry? This victory will surpass the one in 2019,” he predicts.
Meanwhile, although less in the spotlight, Congress candidate Rudra Raju is actively campaigning, centering his message around the legal guarantee of MSP for farmers, a key point highlighted in the party’s national manifesto.
A source within the Congress, who is close to Raju, acknowledges the hurdles confronting their campaign. “The Congress lacks substantial influence in Andhra Pradesh. Nevertheless, Raju’s previous role as a state chief ensures a competitive contest,” the insider remarks.
However, voters seem unconvinced by the Congress’s prospects. “The Congress has minimal presence currently. Y S Sharmila Reddy’s potential candidacy could enhance their prospects in Kadapa, but their performance is unlikely to be strong elsewhere in the state.In Rajahmundry, they’re not even in contention. It’s a direct contest between Jagan and the coalition,” asserts 32-year-old Kavitha.
