Former chief minister and presently BJP candidate for the Rajampet Lok Sabha constituency Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy, is set to launch his campaign after more than a week of the party confirming his candidature, is bound to face a very challenging task.
He entered the political arena after the sudden death of his father and veteran politician Amarnath Reddy and as Congress MLA he never faced defeat. But now for the first time entering into Lok Sabha polls and that too coming to people after a gap of 10 years.
After his Samaikyandhra Party faced a bitter defeat in 2014 polls, he was almost not seen in active politics and mostly confined to his home. That too contesting from Rajampet as a BJP candidate is felt by many a courageous step.
Rajampet is known as a fort of Congress in previous years and now for YSRCP. Till now only once, during NTR hype the TDP had won this seat.
A stalwart of Congress with four terms as MLA, this election marks his return to the political arena after a break since 2009, during which he refrained from contesting in 2014 and 2019.
Kiran Kumar Reddy’s decision to join BJP in April 2023, subsequently becoming a national executive member, signalled a significant shift in his political allegiance. With his arrival being imminent, anticipation brews among NDA supporters and his own followers regarding his campaign approach.
Transitioning to representing a major national party, observers are curious about his ability to rekindle his electoral fervour swiftly. While there’s a perception in political circles that Kiran tends to maintain distance from the masses, preferring interactions with party leaders, the upcoming election demands a different approach.
Challenging him in the electoral fray is incumbent MP Peddireddy Midhun Reddy, who is contesting for the third time from the Rajampet constituency. Rajampet Lok Sabha constituency comprises seven Assembly segments, with four falling under the erstwhile Chittoor district and the remaining three under Kadapa district.
Kiran, hailing from the Kalikiri mandal in the Piler Assembly constituency, boasts a strong support base in his native segment. His own brother Santosh Kumar Reddy is contesting to the Assembly from Pileru as TDP candidate.
But, in view of the considerable number of Muslim voters presence in the four Assembly segments of Chittoor district, Kiran Kumar Reddy was advised not to contest from here as BJP candidate. Even his own brother has reportedly cautioned him that his contest would have a negative impact on TDP candidates in those four segments.
Even TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu has reportedly suggested that he contest from Rajahmundry. But his determination to contest from here is surprising to all. If he elects from here, there is a possibility of inducting him in the union cabinet. Otherwise, it would be a challenge even for the TDP to support him.
