Former minister Dr Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy, who was known as No 2 in YS Jaganmohan Reddy’s cabinet and practically dictated YSRCP activities in the Rayalaseema region is now seems to be facing severe trouble to his political career. He is even unable to visit in his own constituency Punganur, which was considered to be his fortess till now.
A contemporary to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in SV University and both of them entered politics almost simultaneously by contesting in 1978 assembly elections, is now facing severe protests within his own constituency. While winning 1978 polls as Congress (Indira) candidate Chandrababu Naidu succeeded in cultivating a formidable political career, due to defeat as a Janata Party candidate, Reddy mostly confined to his district.
From the very beginning he was in the opposite camp of Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy in Congress politics, so YSR always tried to crush him politically. But surprisingly he became dearer to YS Jaganmohan Reddy and enjoyed a predominant cult in his party and also government. However, he used to dominate Congress politics in Chittoor district even during the YSR regime.
Peddireddy was the only minister in Jagan’s cabinet who had won as MLA with a narrow majority. Due to his predominant position, coupled with authoritative attitude he has cultivated more enemies during YS Jagan regime, than friends in his constituency.
That’s why after the election results, Peddireddy’s condition deteriorated to the point where he could not visit the constituency. It has become a problem for Peddireddy that the people who are tired of the atrocities and anarchy in the constituency for the last five years are now standing by the leaders of the NDA alliance. During the last one month at least twice he was forced to cancel his scheduled visit to his constituency due to large scale protests against him.
Now surprisingly he is facing severe opposition from his own party leaders after the defeat of his party. On the other hand, as the party is wiped out in the state, the YSRCP leaders turn their attention to an alternative as in the present situation in Peddireddy, unable to visit his own constituency.
Giving a big jolt to the former minister, 11 councilors, including the chairman of the Punganur Municipal Corporation, resigned from the party and joined the TDP. Pulicharla mandal ZPTC member Muralidhar along with MPTC members and sarpanchs left the party. All these leaders are known to be closely associated with Peddireddy.
By undermining the opposition with his tyranny, he had created a record by getting MPTC, ZPTC and Sarpanch 100 percent unanimous in the constituency. After losing power, they are facing different situations. Peddireddy has fallen into a helpless state which cannot be stopped if the village level and second level leaders are also leaving the party.