For Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, the latest developments in Kadapa must be difficult to explain. Kadapa has been the heart of his politics for years, and Pulivendula is his own constituency. Yet, the local body elections have exposed problems with the YSRCP’s ability to hold its ground.
In Pulivendula, NDA candidates have been elected unopposed in 20 of the 40 municipal wards. The picture in Kadapa city is even more striking. Of the 66 divisions in the Municipal Corporation, 50 have been decided unopposed. The TDP secured 47, Jana Sena one and the BJP two. YSRCP could not secure a single one of these uncontested divisions.
The irony is that Jagan had reportedly warned party leaders that failing to field candidates in their constituencies could cost them their tickets in future elections. Now, his own constituency is facing the same question. If the party cannot put up a strong fight in its traditional stronghold, what does that say about its ground-level organisation?
Unopposed wins alone do not prove how much public support a party has, and the remaining elections are also important. But the developments in Kadapa are a setback that the YSRCP cannot easily ignore.
A leader who wants to return to power must first strengthen his party at the village level. If he faces problems in his own stronghold, the issue is not just the opposition. It also shows weaknesses within his own party.
