The by-elections for Pulivendula and Ontimitta ZPTC seats in Kadapa district are creating interest, as for the first time TDP is attempting to give a tough fight to YSRCP in Pulivendula, the home constituency of former chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy.
While 11 candidates each are in contest from these two ZPTCs, from Pulivendula Mareddy Latha Reddy (TDP), Tummala Hemanth Reddy (YSRCP), and Moilla Sivakalyan Reddy (Congress), besides 8 more independents are in the fray.
Addaluru Muddukrishna Reddy (TDP), Iragamreddy Subbareddy (YSRCP), Pula Vijayabhaskar (Congress) and 8 more independents are contesting from Ontimitta. The by-election will be held on the 12th of this month. On Tuesday, TDP and YSRCP campaigned fiercely in Pulivendula and Ontimitta.
Everyone’s attention is on the Pulivendula by-election. Social media is also inquiring about the Pulivendula election. Since it is Jagan’s own constituency, this seat has gained importance with the wife of former TDP MLC B.Tech Ravi Mareddy, Latha Reddy in the fray from TDP. TDP is determined to win it at any cost.
On Tuesday, coalition MLAs Adinarayana Reddy, Madhavi, Puttha Chaitanya Reddy, former MLC B.Tech Ravi, TDP district president Srinivasa Reddy, and Jammalamadugu in-charge Bhupesh Reddy campaigned vigorously. YSRCP is also campaigning for its party candidate Tummala Hemanth Reddy under the leadership of Kadapa MP Avinash Reddy.
In the past, no one would have dared to file a nomination against the YS family in Pulivendula. During Jagan’s rule, others were not allowed to file nominations. However, in the coalition government, YCP and others filed nominations freely. Naturally, YCP is not able to digest the influx of immigrants into the TDP. While the TDP is accusing the YCP of intimidation, the YCP is accusing TDP leaders of blackmailing. This is creating tension in the election here.
Minister Ramprasad Reddy, Annamayya district TDP president Chamarthi Jaganmohan Raju, Punganur in-charge Challababu, and TDP state executive secretary B. Hariprasad are campaigning in Ontimitta. Many families were recruited from the YCP to the TDP.
Collector Sridhar Cherukuri is taking all precautions to conduct the Pulivendula and Ontimitta ZPTC by-elections in a transparent and peaceful manner. As part of this, on Tuesday, JC Aditi Singh, SC Ashok Kumar, and ZP CEO Obulamma held a review with ROs and VROs. They directed the officials on issues such as webcasting at polling stations, mobile connectivity, infrastructure at polling stations, manpower, training, check posts at borders, etc.
The police are making all arrangements to conduct the by-elections peacefully. Special vigil has been kept on problematic villages to prevent any clashes, especially during the campaign. Police flag marches were held in Kanampalle, Nallapureddypalle, and Arummapalle in Pulivendula. A flag march and cordon search were conducted in the villages of Chintamrajupalle, Jandlapalle, and Boyapalle in Ontimitta mandal. They were placed with drones.