MACHILIPATNAM: With the ZP elections due on July 5, the race for Krishna district’s ZP chairman post is heating up. Though Gadde Anuradha’s name was announced for the post well before the ZPTC polls, of late the political developments in the district have led to uncertainty over her candidature.
As Kammas play a dominant role in Krishna district politics, Anuradha had no opposition from any section in the party for her candidature. However, the same ‘K’ factor is turning the tables on her.
While Krishna district got a significant share in the the state cabinet with three ministerial berths, two of them - Irrigation and Health - have been allotted to Kammas.
In this backdrop, the demand for a candidate from BC and SC communities for ZP post is rising.
It is said that the ZPTCs belonging to BC and SC communities have been lobbying hard with party president and chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu for ZP chairman and vice-chairman posts. But, surprisingly, they are maintaining a low profile so as not to rub Kammas and Kapus on the wrong side.
“BCs belonging to communities like Yadava, fishermen and vaddera have voted the yellow party in large number in the recent polls. Even SCs have owed their allegiance to TDP this time.
We feel that it as apt to give chairman and vice-chairman posts for these communities,” says a ZPTC belonging to a BC community.
What is giving impetus to these communities is Chandrababu Naidu’s changed style of functioning. Keeping aside all the caste equations, the chief minister has rewarded Kapus generously in giving tickets in the elections. He gave the coveted deputy speaker’s post to Mandali Buddha Prasad, a Kapu leader from Krishna district.
In this backdrop, many ZPTCs from BC and SC groups are vying for the top two posts.
But party insiders say that Gadde Anuradha my have the last laugh as her husband and Vijayawada East MLA Gadde Ramamohan enjoys a good relationship with Chandrababu Naidu and has stood by party in tough times.
Also, Gadde Anuradha is a known face among the TDP cadres as she had campaigned extensively for the party in various elections.