Jagan Mohan Reddy wipes out rivals, registers record win in Andhra Pradesh

The Congress seems to be heading towards trouble even in Andhra Pradesh. In the much-hyped by-election in Kadapa, former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy’s son YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has wiped out his rivals in the fray by winning with a margin of 5,43,053 votes. The highest victory margin from Kadapa had been 4,18,000, secured by the late YSR in 1991.

Jagan polled a whopping 6,87,068 votes. Congress’ Ravindra Reddy got 1,44,015 votes, while TDP candidate Mysoora Reddy finished a poor third with 1,27,183 votes. Both Ravindra Reddy and Mysoora Reddy lost their deposits, as they failed to get a minimum of 16.67% of the total valid votes polled. The election was held on May 8, and the results were declared on Friday.

“The by-poll is just an indication of what is in store for the Congress in the state. The voters have taught a lesson to both the Congress and the TDP,” Jagan said after his victory was announced.

Jagan’s mother and YSR’s widow YS Vijaya Lakshmi, too, was in the fray from the Pulivendula constituency in Kadapa district. She, too, cleaned out her rivals, winning with a margin of 85,191 votes. While YSR’s brother and senior Congress minister YS Vivekananda Reddy represented the Congress, the TDP fielded a locally popular leader, B Ravi. Both lost their deposits.

Political analysts are, however, not enthused by the manner in which Jagan and his mother have won. “The by-poll was fought on emotional grounds. There was no real issue put forth,” a veteran leader of a national party, which did not field a candidate in the by-poll, said.

However, Jagan does have sketchy plans for the future. He has said that his party would be pro-former like his father. “We are going to hold a plenary of YSR Congress on July 8, YSR’s birth anniversary. We will brainstorm for two days and declare our future course of action. I am keen on working hard to ensure that the anti-people Congress is out of power at the earliest,” Jagan said.