Political families in Andhra Pradesh have established themselves not just in constituencies but over entire districts. For the elections next month, Chittoor and Kadapa districts will see more relatives of established politicians in the fray than ever before.
In Chittoor district, the major share has gone to the Peddireddy family, with YSR Congress Party strongman P. Ramachandra Reddy, a former Minister, contesting again from Punganur and his son P.V. Midhun Reddy from the Rajampet Lok Sabha seat. A new entrant this time is Mr. Peddireddy’s younger brother Dwarakanath Reddy, who is testing his fortune from the Thamballapalle Assembly segment also as a YSRCP candidate.
In neighbouring Piler constituency, Nallari Kishore Kumar Reddy, younger brother of former Chief Minister N. Kirankumar Reddy, is trying his luck as the Telagu Desam Party (TDP) candidate.
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Legacy seats
Following the death of veteran Gali Muddukrishnama Naidu, the TDP had given an MLC ticket to his widow Gali Saraswathamma and now the Nagari Assembly ticket to his son Gali Bhanuprakash. In Srikalahasti, son of ailing veteran Bojjala Gopalakrishna Reddy, B. Sudheer Reddy has got the party nod.
Unveiling a new trend in dynastic politics, the TDP has gone beyond district borders to accommodate kin. Party supremo N. Chandrababu Naidu, who is contesting from Kuppam, gave his son Nara Lokesh the Mangalagiri ticket in Guntur district. Similarly, TDP politburo member and former Chandragiri MLA Galla Aruna, who is not contesting, wrangled the Guntur Lok Sabha seat for her son Galla Jayadev once again.
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Taking on the Peddireddy strongman in Punganur is TDP’s N. Anusha Reddy, sister-in-law of Minister N. Amarnatha Reddy. He is contesting in adjoining Palamaner.
YS fiefdom
The YS family has effectively carved up Kadapa district. YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is contesting from Pulivendula, his maternal uncle P. Ravindranath Reddy from Kamalapuram and cousin Y.S. Avinash Reddy is the candidate for the Kadapa Lok Sabha seat.
Jammalamadugu Assembly candidate M. Sudheer Reddy is the nephew of veteran politician M.V. Mysoora Reddy.
Rayachoty candidate Gadikota Srikanth Reddy is the son of former legislator G. Mohan Reddy.
Things are no different in the rival TDP camp. Mydukur candidate Putta Sudhakar Yadav is a close relative of politburo member Yanamala Ramakrushnudu. Jammalamadugu candidate P. Ramasubba Reddy is the nephew of former Minister P. Siva Reddy and Rayachoty candidate R. Ramesh Kumar Reddy is the son of R. Rajagopal Reddy, ex-Minister in the NTR cabinet and brother of district TDP President R. Srinivasa Reddy.
Narasimha Prasad, who has bagged the TDP Railway Kodur (SC) ticket, is the son-in-law of Chittoor Lok Sabha candidate N. Sivaprasad.