Dynasty politics back to the fore

Hyderabad: The political parties which have been accusing the Congress party of promoting hereditary politics appear to be following the same in the state during 2014 elections.

The TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu and Y S Jaganmohan Reddy are competing with each other to bring their kith and kin into active politics. They are not only gearing up to enter electoral politics, but are also trying to drum up the support of people for their respective parties as a run-up to the general elections in 2014.

While Naidu was on a walkathon, his son Nara Lokesh undertook a whirlwind tour of Kuppam Assembly constituency and has since been playing an active role both within the party.

According to party sources, he is set to contest the assembly elections most probably from Serlingampally constituency in Ranga Reddy district. Naidu’s brother-in-law N Balakrishna will also be contesting from Krishna district.

In Coastal Andhra region, the name of Yanamala Krishnudu has almost been finalised for Tuni assembly constituency in place of Yanamala Ramakrishnudu who is the leader of opposition in legislative council. Similarly, another senior leader K Ramachandra Raju who represented Undi assembly constituency till 2004 is promoting his daughter Venkata Narsamma.

In Rayalaseema region, TDP leader G Muddukrishnama Naidu wants to make way for his son G Jagadish from Nagari constituency. Other leaders from TDP who want to promote their children from the district are B Gopalakrishna Reddy from Srikalahasti , Paritala Sunitha from Raptadu and Hanumantharaya Chaudhary representing Kalyana Durgam constituency.

In Telangana region, Uma Madhava Reddy, V Chander Rao, K Dayakar Reddy, S Devaiah and TDP MP Ramesh Rathod are likely to make way for their sons.

In YSRCP, Y S Jaganmohan Reddy will contest from Pulivendula assembly constituency that was represented by his father Y S Rajasekhara Reddy. Jagan who is now an MP will contest for the Assembly so that he can become the Chief Minister if YSRCP emerges as the major party in the state. His paternal uncle Y S Vivekananda Reddy is likely to be fielded from Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency.

However, Jagan’s friend Avinash Reddy is also in the race for this seat. Jagan’s mother Y S Vijayalakshmi who is representing Pulivendula constituency will be shifted to another Assembly constituency in the district. Alternatively, she may even be asked to contest from Anaparti constituency in East Godavari district where the party is very strong.

The name of Jagan’s sister Sharmila, who had undertaken a marathon padayatra to boost the morale of the party when Jagan was in jail, is also being actively considered for one of the assembly seats in the district.

In TRS, the party president K Chandrasekhar Rao and his daughter Kavita are likely to contest for Lok Sabha. Rao’s son K T Rama Rao and nephew T Harish Rao will be sent to the state assembly. According to party sources, Chandrasekhar Rao will shift from Mahabubnagar to Medak Lok Sabha seat and Kavita would be asked to contest from Nizamabad.

The Sircilla MLA and Rao’s son, K T Rama Rao, may opt for Siddipet which is now being represented by T Harish Rao. Harish Rao may be asked to contest from one of the Assembly constituencies in Karimnagar district.

Interestingly, keeping in view the present political situation in the state, many leaders are sending their family members to different parties. For example, in Anantapur district, Congress leader J C Diwakar Reddy’s brother Prabhakar Reddy is likely to join TDP and his nephew Pavan Reddy is set to join YSRCP. The TDP spokesperson N Rajakumari’s daughter has already joined YSRCP and is a probable candidate for one of the Assembly seats in the coastal region.