The Pulivendula ZPTC by-election is shaping up to be a fierce political battle.
The sudden death of Maheshwar Reddy, the sitting ZPTC member from Pulivendula, and the resignation of Ontimitta ZPTC member Akepati Amarnath Reddy have triggered bypolls for both seats.
However, it's the Pulivendula by-election that is drawing statewide attention, as it is the stronghold of former Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Pulivendula has long been considered a bastion of the YSR family, and the region has consistently backed the YSRCP.
However, with changing political dynamics, the party is no longer assured of a clean victory.
The TDP views this by-election as an opportunity to strike a psychological blow to Jagan Mohan Reddy and is throwing all its weight behind the contest.
The TDP is adopting a multi-pronged strategy — allegedly trying to lure YSRCP leaders, using state machinery, and reportedly intimidating opponents through legal and extralegal means.
YSRCP leaders have accused the TDP of using police to file false cases and force their cadres out of the villages.
From the YSRCP, Tummala Hemanth Reddy is in the fray, while the TDP has fielded Mareddy Latha Reddy, wife of BTech Ravi.
Both parties are campaigning aggressively, with the TDP leveraging its position in government to try and sway voters.
The stakes are much higher for the YSRCP. While a loss wouldn’t be a major setback for the TDP, defeat here would dent the image of the YSR family in its own turf.
The path to victory for the YSRCP is no longer smooth — they’ll have to fight hard to retain their dominance in Pulivendula.
