Payyavula Keshav is a popular leader in Andhra Pradesh politics who has strived hard for Uravakonda constituency in Anantapur district since decades. He represented the constituency in 1994, 2004, 2009 and 2019 and is respected as a hard working ‘People’s MLA”. When he won for the first time in 1994, he was not given a berth in the cabinet but managed to build a strong support base with thought provoking speeches. He lost the 1999 elections to Sivarami Reddy, and along with it, the opportunity to become a minister in the then TDP Government.
He won both 2004 and 2009 elections but unfortunately TDP didn’t come to power. His role in the opposition benches during the YSR’s regime is remembered by many for the way he troubled the Congress Government over their faults and scams. Even Naidu gave a freehand to him for the way he inspired confidence in cadre. His speeches were furious and up to the point. Naidu praised Keshav many a time for his oratory skills.
In 2014, when TDP came into power with a thumping majority, Keshav lost his election. He was confident of winning a ministerial berth, but he was made an MLC instead. The party had caste equations to consider which many say is the reason for the disgruntlement that has followed. He won in 2019, but party lost. Voters in his constituency feel that Keshav is lagging behind in the luck department.
Keshav has stated that he is not interested to join YSRCP, but his indifference is costing TDP dearly. Naidu and his son Nara Lokesh are waging a lonely battle against Jagan’s government with little support from other leaders who do not wish to draw the ire of CM owing to his revengeful politics. There is a need for Payyavula Keshav to come out of hibernation and use his analytical and oratorical skills to benefit both party and people.
