The twin Godavari districts play a crucial role in deciding the fate of political parties in forming the government in every election. This is particularly true ever since the TDP entered the AP political scene in 1983. East Godvarai especially plays a significant role as it has got 19 assembly segments. This time, it appears that there will be triangular contests between TDP, Jana Sena and YCP parties’ candidates. The BJP is not strong anywhere and neither Congress.
In 2014, the joint TDP and BJP alliance won 14 out of 19 seats in East Godavari. TDP won 13 and BJP 1. This time they are contesting separately. YCP won only 5 seats and eventually the party could not form the government. The Kapu voters are predominant in the district. They are changing loyalties between TDP and Congress since 1983. The party which gets their support is forming the government in the state since then. In 2009, Kapus support Chiranjeevi’s Praja Rajyam Party which won 4 segments here while TDP won 4 and Congress 11. It was thought TDP lost many segments because of split in Kapu vote bank.
In the 2019 election, large section of Kapus are favouring Jana Sena while the TDP is heavily banking on BCs and STs. YCP is relying on SCs support. The Rs. 10,000 distribution to DWCRA women and Rs. 2,000 pensions have become the talking point in general voters. The TDP candidates keep hopes on pro-Chandrababu wave while Pawan Kalyan is banking on Kapus and youth.
