Former Minister and senior Congress leader K. Jana Reddy is contesting from Nagarjuna Sagar segment once again. His campaign this time stands apart as he constantly hints at getting a ‘very big post’ if the voters elect him as their MLA for the eighth time now. There are reports that Jana Reddy is one of the strong chief ministerial candidates from the Congress. As there is competition, the Mahakutami has also not announced any CM candidate triggering speculation on this topic among aspirants who are using this as one of the campaign tools.
Jana Reddy is having head-on fight with TRS nominee Nomula Narasimhaiah. Though BJP has fielded Kankanala Nivedita and some other smaller parties are also in the fray, the main race is between Jana Reddy and Nomula Narasimhaiah. As the TRS is in power implementing various developmental programmes, Narasimhaiah is expecting positive impact leading to his victory in the segment.
Jana Reddy has contested for over 10 times from Nagarjuna Sagar since 1978. Though he lost in his first attempt, Jana Reddy won this segment on TDP ticket in 1983. Then on, Jana Reddy has won from here for 7 times and maintained a firm grip in every village and hamlet in the constituency. But he faces the problem of his close followers standing in between him and the voters.
There are over two lakh voters in Nagarjuna Sagar segment and 50 per cent population are BCs whose mandate plays a key role in deciding the fortunes of contestants. The tribals are present up to 40,000 and their decision is also crucial. The fight assumed significance as TRS brought in a senior leader like Nomula Narasimhaiah who has considerable political exposure though he is an outsider. Meanwhile, Jana Reddy is banking on the combined efforts of Mahakutami allies like Congress, TDP, TJS and CPI.
