TDP leaders are pinning high hopes on K Atchannaidu as party state unit president. With the blessings of his elder brother Kinjarapu Yerrannaidu, Atchanna entered Assembly for the first time in 1996 by winning by-elections for Harischandrapuram constituency in Srikakulam district. The bypoll was necessitated by resignation of Yerrannaidu who was earlier elected to Lok Sabha. Atchannaidu again won the seat in 1999 Assembly elections.
Harischandrapuram disappears
Harischandrapuram Assembly constituency disappeared in delimitation process in 2004. In the elections that year, he contested from Tekkali seat where he lost to his Congress rival Korla Revathipathi. Unfortunately, Revathipathi died in an accident even before being sworn in as MLA. In the ensuing by-election too, Atchannaidu lost, this time to the Revathipati’s widow Korla Bharati.
After 2009
Learning lessons from his two consecutive defeats, Atchannnaidu moved among people regularly and relentlessly pursued the problems of public. As a result, he won the Tekkali seat in 2009 elections. He romped home again in 2014 polls after bifurcation of the state. With the TDP coming to power, he worked as labour and transport minister. In 2019 elections too, he could retain his seat despite the pro-Jagan Mohan Reddy wave across the state.
Loyalty to the party
Atchannaidu has never changed the party since his political debut in Harischandrapuram constituency. He remained in the TDP in which he cut his teeth through thick and thin. Even party chief N Chandrababu Naidu had migrated to TDP from Congress and Kimidi Kala Venkata Rao has had switched his loyalty briefly though, to Praja Rajyam Party, but Atchanna has no such history. This is also considered one of the factors that weigh in his favour in party and outside it.
BC leader
Moreover, being a BC leader from north Andhra will also be an added advantage for Atchannaidu. TDP sources believe that his oratorical skills, a thorough knowledge on code of conduct of legislature, close relations with party leaders and cadres will immensely benefit him as a party state president as well as the party.
Court comments
The observations made by the court while granting him bail in ESI scam are instilling confidence in the party that he will come out of the case unscathed. The court said ACB could not provide clear evidence that Atchannaidu made recommendations in procurement of medicine in exchange for financial benefits. Atchannaidu’s associates say these remarks by the court buoyed their leader and he will work for the party with more energy and commitment.
