It was YSR Congress president Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy all the way in 2012. He set a record with a massive victory of 5,45,672 votes — the third highest majority in the country — in the by-election, within months of launching his party from Kadapa parliamentary constituency. Now, Mr. Jagan Reddy is not in the Lok Sabha fray.
But he pitchforked his paternal uncle Y.S. Manohar Reddy’s son Yeduguri Sandinti Avinash Reddy, an engineering graduate, presently YSRC Kadapa district youth wing president, into the poll arena to see that Kadapa remains their bastion. It may be noted here that former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and members of his family have been elected to Parliament from Kadapa in the last eight successive Lok Sabha elections since 1989. YSR was elected for four terms, his brother Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy twice and his son Mr. Jagan twice.
Incidentally, leaders of Reddy community alone have been elected from Kadapa right from the first election in 1952 till now. Another key aspect for the elections slated on May 7 is that contestants of all parties this time round are new entrants.
The Telugu Desam Party fielded Reddappagari Srinivasulu Reddy, also an engineering graduate and contractor, son of former Minister R. Rajagopala Reddy, who was elected to the Assembly for five terms between 1972 and 1989 and served twice in the State Cabinet.
Mr. Jagan Reddy defeated M.V. Mysura Reddy of TDP and D.L. Ravindra Reddy of Congress in the 2012 by-elections. The duo forfeited their deposits. Curiously, Mr. Mysura is now sailing with the YSRC. Analysts say the fight is mainly between the YSRC and TDP but Jagan wave could benefit his nephew immensely.
