Kuppam assembly constituency is known as a fortress for Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, from where he has been continuously winning the Assembly beginning from 1989.
However, for the first time a sincere attempt was made by YSRCP to defeat him from here and during five year of its rule under the direct supervision of powerful minister in YS Jaganmohan Reddy’s cabinet, Dr P Ramachadnra Reddy to win from here in 2024 polls.
It may be recalled that Jaganmohan Reddy raised the slogan `Why not Kuppam?’ in the last year’s election campaign, indicating that his party is serious about winning this seat. Initially, the party succeeded winning most of local body polls, including Kuppam Municipality.
The constituency incharge Bharath was made MLC and in election campaign CM Jaganmohan Reddy declared that he would be included in his cabinet, if he defeats Chandrababu Naidu. However, Chandrababu successfully resisted the challenge and had won again from here. After a change of government in the state, the YSRCP started losing its grip over the constituency.
Now, the party is witnessing a revolt against constituency incharge Bharath and several senior leaders in the constituency are now demanding the party leadership to remove him from the position. The leaders of their own party are unhappy with his behavior and warn the party leadership that if it continues to put trust in him the party will be wiped out from here.
They accused Bharat of neglecting the party and giving positions to his psychos and of becoming a slave to TDP. YSRCP leaders criticized that positions are being given to a few people, not those who trusted the party. They accused the TDP of acting in its favor in the Ramakuppam MPP by-election, even though YSRCP members were in the majority.
They recalled that Bharat’s incompetence was revealed in the Kuppam Municipal Chairman election. They alleged that Bharat, who was not available in Kuppam immediately after losing power, has no right to talk about party discipline. Meanwhile, the YSRCP leadership has responded seriously to these leaders for speaking against the party. and taken action against them.
To this extent, MLC Bharat announced that YSRCP Shantipuram ZPTC member Srinivasulu, former Sarpanch Murali, and Sarpanch Jagadish’s wife Neela are being suspended from the party. He said that action has been taken because they are engaging in anti-party activities. District Vice President Kodanda Reddy warned that action will be taken if the YSRCP acts in a self-serving manner.
It has become interesting that the workers of their own party are criticizing the YSRCP in the Kuppam constituency. The leaders have to respond to the suspension from the party. Overall, a new headache has started for the Kuppam YSRCP within its own party.