Tekkali in Srikakulam district is the bastion of the Telugu Desam Party. The party won eight out of the eleven elections that happened here after its inception.
It is worth noting that TDP founder NT Rama Rao had bagged the seat in the 1994 elections.
Kinjarapu family is known to have a grip on Tekkali and erstwhile Harishchandrapuram Assembly segments. Former Union minister Kinjarapu Yerrannaidu and his brother Atchannaidu emerged victorious from the Harishchandrapuram Assembly segment four and three times respectively.
Late YSR used delimitation intelligently to cut the constituency and merge it into the Tekkali and Palasa Assembly segments in 2008.
Atchennaidu lost 2009 and 2009 by-poll to the Congress candidate as a result.
But Atchennaidu has won two elections (2014 and 2019) on a trot and is keen on a hat trick.
Until a few months ago, there were reports that it was not easy for Atchannaidu in Tekkali this time due to various factors.
But then, he turned to be the luckiest and is counting the majority now.
Two developments are helping Atchhannaidu in Tekkali. The first one is Former Central Minister Killi Kruparani the Congress candidate here. She belongs to the Kalinga community.
Kaalinga community is the dominant in Tekkali’s population. More than 60% of them are supporting YSR Congress this time. Duvvada Srinivas hails from the Kaalinga community. Killi Krupa Rani will divide the votes which will help Atchennaidu.
The second development is Duvvada Srinivas is facing competition from his wife.
Duvvada Vani who is a ZPTC announced filing the nomination on the 22nd of this month. The couple has been staying away for some time due to differences between them.
Vani had previously brought to the attention of CM Jagan that Duvwada Srinivas’ behavior is causing political trouble in the constituency.
In this background, the YCP High Command has appointed Vani as the in-charge of that party in Tekkali. She remained active till the announcement of the list of YSR Congress candidates. Vani has been staying away from party activities ever since her husband was finalized as the MLA candidate.
The main leaders who are dissatisfied with Jagan’s attitude have convinced Vani to contest.
If Vani remains in the fray, she will cut the votes of her husband and will make things easy for Atchchannaidu.
Looks like Atchchannaidu is the luckiest man in this election season.
