Since decades, the Ponnapureddy and Chadipirala families have held a tight grip over the politics of Jammalamadugu in Kadapa district. The two families have fought many a turf battles leading to loss of life and property. It is a known fact that the late YS Raja Reddy supported Chadipirala family in the past. In order to counter this, Ponnapureddy Siva Reddy entered politics and became an Independent MLA in 1983 elections which put a check on Chadipirala family’s dominance. Siva Reddy later joined the TDP and registered consecutive wins in 1985 and 1989 elections. He was brutally killed in a bomb attack at Satya Sai Nigamaagamam in Hyderabad. His son Ramasubba Reddy jumped into politics and won on a TDP ticket in both 1994 and 1999. In 2004, he was defeated by the Congress candidate Chadipirala Adinarayana Reddy who began to strengthen his say in the constituency with the help of former CM late YS Rajasekhara Reddy. Ramasubba Reddy’s jail stint and the consecutive victory of Adinarayana Reddy in 2009 led to Ponnapureddy family losing their hold in the constituency.
Even though TDP’s wave was strong in 2014 elections, YSRCP retained its grip in Kadapa district which presented a victory to Adinarayana Reddy for the third time. Adinarayana Reddy joined TDP owing to differences with Jagan and was even given a ministry by Naidu. To avoid differences between the two groups, Naidu tried to work out a compromise by having Adinarayana Reddy contest for Kadapa’s parliament seat while Ramasubba Reddy stood for assembly in Jammalamadugu. Both leaders tasted defeat in 2019 elections. While Adinarayana Reddy joined BJP, Ramasubba Reddy joined YSRCP – both deserted TDP.
Ramasubba Reddy’s arrival into YSRCP has irked sitting MLA Sudheer Reddy who stopped attending party and Government programs since then. Sources say that he was deeply troubled by Jagan’s decision to bring Ramasubba Reddy into the party and expressed his anguish to many. Word reached the Chief Minister who began to sideline him. YSRCP is now using MP Avinash Reddy for all the official programs. During a recent media interaction, Sudheer Reddy condemned rumours regarding differences between him and Jagan and reiterated that he was still in the CM’s good books.
Sudheer Reddy even went a step ahead to say that he will remain loyal to YSRCP even if he is denied an MLA ticket in 2024 elections. Grapevine says that the party has already informed Sudheer Reddy about its unwillingness to give him ticket in next elections. These internal conflicts are said to be bothering Jagan who is working on ironing them out in order to retain his firm grasp on Kadapa district.
