The Tirupati Assembly by-election result might have come as a great
shock to the Rajya Sabha member Dr K Chiranjeevi, who was busy with his son’s marriage
celebrations, and who was the reason for the bye-election.
Political observers feel that it was a lesson to Chiranjeevi, who simply merged his PRP with the
Congress and resigned to his Legislative Assembly Membership of Tirupati Constituency, following
his election to the Rajya Sabha. Tirupati voters, who reposed their faith in Chiranjeevi in the 2009
elections, have now taught a fitting lesson to Chiranjeevi indirectly by defeating the Congress
candidate Venkataramana. Venkataramana had become a scapegoat now, but he too has failed to
convince the voters and totally depended on Party leaders’ campaign. Tirupati voters were totally
vexed with Chiranjeevi’s resignation, more so, merging his erstwhile PRP in to Congress party. They
felt that they have lost their hopes in Chiranjeevi, who had promised many things during his party
launching function, which was held in the temple town only. Chiranjeevi was the reason for the
Congress party candidate’s debacle in Tirupati in 2009 elections. Many, including Tirupati voters, were
shocked when Chiranjeevi resigned to his Tirupati seat and questioned as to why he tendered his
resignation and as to why he wanted Rajya Sabha seat. Chiranjevi had vigorously campaign in
Tirupathi and repeatedly told the voters that he would not abandon them following his election to Rajya
Sabha, and he would always workd for development of the constituency; but his promises failed to cut
the ice.
On the other hand, caste equations worked here other than any place in the present bye-
elections. The split in ‘Baliza’ community vote also showed its impact on Venkataramana’s winning
prospects. Venkataramana and TDP candidate Chadalavada Krishna Murthy are from the same
community and it showed its impact severely on their choices.
Another fact was Minister Galla Aruna Kumari’s efforts to get the ticket to her son Galla
Jayadev, also showed impact on Congress party winning prospects. Galla Aruna (she hails from
Chandragiri constituency which was adjacent to Tirupati constituency) seriously tried to get the
Tiruapati ticket to her son. It is said that she didn’t put her efforts in favor of Congress candidate
Venkataramana, having failed to get the ticket to her son. She was from Kamma community. Kamma
voters comprise of large number in Tirupati town. The results clearly showed that Kamma voters might
have opted YSRCP candidate in the bye-elections.
The YSRCP candidate Bhoomana Karunakar Reddy was a lucky person, what with the
infighting of Congress party. His caste voters totally worked in his favor. And the dalit and minority
voters showed their faith in YSRCP candidate. Actually the situation in Tirupati was in favor of
Congress candidate Venkataramana till the time of Jagan’s arrest. After Jagan’s arrest, Jagan’s mother
and YSRCP honorary president YS Vijayamma and his sister Sharmila’s campaign in Tirupati in the
last minute helped Karunakar Reddy in a great way. It seems Dalits and minority voters in Tirupati
turned towards YSRCP after Vijayamma’s campaign, resulting in Karunakar Reddy’s victory. (NSS)