The Kamma and Kapu communities remain a major vote bank in Vijayawada City. While parties like Congress, TDP, and Janasena have consistently given importance to the Kapu community, the same hasn’t been true for the YSR Congress Party.
In 2014, the YSR Congress allotted just one ticket in the city to the Kapu community. Since then, the community hasn’t received any ticket in the last two elections. Vangaveeti Radha contested from Vijayawada East in 2014 but left the party after losing.
In NTR district, Samineni Uday Bhanu received the Jaggaiahpeta ticket in the 2024 election but later joined Janasena after his defeat. The YSR Congress has since appointed a Kamma leader as incharge for Jaggaiahpeta, leaving no Kapu representation in the district. Community leaders have voiced disappointment, saying that such neglect could alienate Kapu voters.
During the last election, several Kapu leaders, including Adapa Seshu, Bommadevara Subbarao, and Akula Srinivas, expected the Vijayawada Central ticket. However, CM Jagan Mohan Reddy moved former minister Vellampalli Srinivas from Vijayawada West to Vijayawada Central instead. Reports suggest the decision was made to avoid dissent from Vysya and Brahmin communities.
In contrast, the TDP fielded Bonda Uma as its MLA candidate in the city, while its ally Janasena offered one MLA and one MP ticket in Krishna district to Mandali Buddha Prasad and Balashoury from the same community, aiming to consolidate support.
Kapu community leaders now urge YSR Congress to take corrective action and ensure representation, warning that continued neglect could lead to disconnection among voters ahead of future elections.
