The forthcoming MLC polls from local bodies in YSR Kadapa district seems to be throwing a challenge for YSRCP chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy to keep up his hold in his native district. The party has already announced his uncle and former minister YS Vivekananda Reddy as party’s candidate.

In reality this district is a fortress for the main opposition party and it has clear edge among voters, who constitutes elected people’s representatives from local bodies. So, the party is confident to win the seat very easy.

However, the TDP is making hectic efforts to give a big fight, so that to get a put-hold in YS’s strong hold. In this regard, it has been encouraging defections at a large-scale from both YSRCP and Congress.

During recent visit of chief minister Chandrababu Naidu to the district, one ZPTC and 18 MPTC members resigned from YSR Congress Party and joined TDP in his presence. This was considered a blow to the opposition party. One Congress MPTC also joined the party.

Already two potential YSRCP MLAs Jayaramulu (Badvel) and Adinarayana Reddy (Jammulamadugu) are with the ruling party. District TDP leaders are said to be making efforts to lure many more village-level leaders to join their party. The recent meeting of TDP MP C M Ramesh with former minister Dr M V Mysura Reddy gains significance in this regard.

A senior TDP leader said that though as of now it would be seen as a difficult task to defeat YSRCP candidate in MLC polls, due to clear cut edge they are having among voters, a division among their voters would certainly demoralise the opposition party.

“Division of votes in YS fortress would lead to given an impression at state level that Jaganmohan Reddy is on the verge of losing his grip in his own district. Such a message itself would serve TDP interests better in 2019 polls”, he added.