Despite all its focus on Vizag, the gateway to North Andhra, problems continue to dog the YSRCP. It has 11 MLAs and the support of a TDP rebel MLA. Yet, the party is finding itself on a shaky ground. Everything looked hunky-dory for the first two years, but now fissures are coming to the fore and opposition to the sitting MLAs is growing.

The cadre took to the streets against the local MLAs in both Payakaraopet and Vizag South. This dissidence has shown its effect on the recent local body elections, where the YSRCP performance was below par. There are reports of similar discontent in other assembly constituencies of the district also.

Meanwhile, the party has made its Kapu face in North Andhra MLA Gudivada Amarnath the president of the Anakapalli Lok Sabha constituency. Though Amarnath is a diehard follower of YS Jagan and has previously worked as the district party unit president, there is a heated debate over his appointment. Gudivada Amarnath’s supporters say that he was made the president as Kapus are the dominant social group in Anakapalle Lok Sabha constituency and also because of his hardwork and dedication.

But his detractors say that this was Jagan’s way of denying Amarnath a post in the cabinet. Gudivada Amarnath has been lobbying very hard for a minister’s post. However, now that he is made the Lok Sabha constituency president, his chances of becoming a minister are slim, they say. Now this has become a hot topic for discussion and the party in Anakapalli is divided into two groups. Instead of solving the problems of groupism, the latest appointment has only added to the problems.

Both are legislators from the ruling party. But, both are not seeing eye-to-eye. Those in the know say they do not even like to wish each other. Now the tussle between the two legislators of the same party is threatening to spill over onto the streets. The leaders in question are Kasu Mahesh Reddy, the MLA of Gurajala and Janga Krishnamurthy, the MLC.

Both the leaders are from the Palnadu region and are at war with one another. Both are trying to get one-up on the other. Janga has been a two-time MLA from Gurajala, but became an MLC. Mahesh is from Narasaraopet and has since shifted to Gurajala in 2019. The Janga group accuses Kasu group of ignoring them and sidelining them. The situation has come to such a pass that both the leaders are not participating together in any programme.

Recently, the YSRCP MPTCs from Dachepalli mandal were sworn-in in the presence of Janga Krishna Murthy. Soon after the MLC left, Kasu Mahesh reached the pace. The MPTCs were sworn in again in the presence of Kasu. This has become a big issue in the constituency. Janga has in fact lodged a complaint against breach of protocol on the issue.

The Kasu group has its own litany of complaints. All the 31 councillors of Piduguralla municipal council were elected unopposed mainly due to the efforts of Kasu. But, they were felicitated by Janga group. Kasu was not invited to the function. Recently, both the groups tore each other’s flexis. This led to fisticuffs between both the groups. Locals say that CM Jagan should intervene and set the house in order.