For YSRCP, winning Tirupati is more than keeping your seat

The ruling party not only silences critics, but also regards the by-poll as a barometer of people’s trust in it

After two wins in the Panchayat and local elections, the YSRCP is clearly on track to win the Tirupati (SC) Lok Sabha seat.

For the ruling party, which is waging an unqualified struggle, a victory here means much more than keeping their own seat vacated by the death of party member Balli Durgaprasada Rao due to COVID-19.

This also counts as a barometer of people’s faith, which remains two years after his impressive victory in 2019.

Surprise choice

The election of a political newcomer by Prime Minister and party chairman YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is understandably also intended to send a clear signal that his personal charisma, the legacy of the deceased YSR, the party symbol and the implementation of welfare systems play a role in the unrest alone.

The choice of candidate Maddila Gurumoorthy, who had served as Mr Jagan’s personal physiotherapist during his Padayatra, suddenly came out of the blue, and he has little to do compared to his combat rivals who are considered giants in terms of political exposure boast or administrative experience.

The party leadership, which has apparently pushed this factor aside, has moved many top leaders to Tirupati to ensure a huge profit margin of five lakh votes.

Aside from senior executives such as YV Subba Reddy, Peddireddi Ramachandra Reddy and K. Narayanaswamy, the Chief Minister has personally appointed a minister for each of the seven assembly segments, viz. Perni Nani for Tirupati, P. Anil Kumar for Gudur, A. Suresh for Sarvepalli, M. Goutham Reddy for Sullurpet, K. Kannababu for Srikalahasti, K. Nani for Satyavedu and B. Srinivasa Reddy for Venkatagiri. The seven local MLAs are also sweating in the scorching sun to reach the last voter in the backcountry.

The party’s MLA and senior leader B. Karunakar Reddy say a victory by a wide margin will also silence its critics, who corner the ruling party on issues of religious conversion, desecration of idols and improper interference in temple affairs have driven.

Government whip Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy is concerned about the blame often blamed by volunteers intimidating voters for continuing social security benefits, saying an overwhelming victory will end such unfounded arguments as parliamentary elections have nothing to do with pensions or ration.

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