TDP has created history by defeating YSR Congress for the first time in the Pulivendula ZP elections. YSRCP chief Jagan faced a setback as his candidate lost in his own home constituency. In the by-election held on the 12th of this month, TDP candidate Mareddy Latha Reddy won with a huge margin of 6,033 votes, while YSRCP’s Hemanth Reddy secured only 683 votes and lost his deposit.
Many call Pulivendula a political fortress for the YSR family, but senior Congress leader Narreddy Tulasi Reddy says otherwise. A native of Kadapa, Tulasi Reddy recalled that the family has struggled whenever faced with strong competition. In the 1970 elections, Rajasekhar Reddy’s parents, Jayamma and his father, lost as ward members. In 1984, TDP’s D Narayana Reddy won the MP seat with a margin of 3,500 votes.
The 1994 assembly elections saw TDP winning 7 out of 11 seats in Kadapa, leaving Congress with 4. In 1995, TDP took 3 out of 4 ZPTC seats in Pulivendula, with only one going to Rajasekhar Reddy’s family. Tulasi Reddy served as TDP’s Kadapa district in-charge at the time. TDP also secured Vempalle and Vemula MPPs. In 1996, Rajasekhar Reddy won the MP seat with a slim margin of 4,000 votes.
In 2017, B Tech Ravi of TDP defeated YS Vivekananda Reddy in the local bodies MLC election. In 2023, TDP’s Ramgopal Reddy won the West Rayalaseema MLC election. In the 2024 Pulivendula water society polls, YSR Congress did not contest seven society positions.
According to Tulasi Reddy, YSR Congress is strong in Kadapa but not invincible. He claimed the party wins with money and muscle when in power, but when faced with a determined opposition, victory is never guaranteed.
