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As electioneering intensifies, residents of Kurnool parliamentary constituency vividly recall the efficient governance of YS Rajasekhara Reddy, the two-time former Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh, who tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash in September 2009, merely 74 km from here.

 

Rajasekhara Reddy, fondly known as YSR, had carved a niche in state politics by working for the upliftment of the downtrodden and neglected segments of the society. YSR emerged victorious in every election he contested during his 25-year-long political career.

 

Elections to 25 Lok Sabha seats and 175 Assembly segments in the state will be held simultaneously on May 13.

 

As incumbent Chief Minister of bifurcated Andhra Pradesh, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy seeks a second term, admirers of YSR in Kurnool say, after observing the former’s first tenure, “Jagan is not like his father. In the 2019 elections, we voted for Jagan in the name of Rajasekhara Reddy, thinking he would adopt the same governance standards as his father. But he has disappointed us. This time, we will have to reconsider,” said Rafid, a fruit seller.

 

Rafid said he would vote for YSR’s daughter YS Sharmila’s Congress party, although she is not contesting from here.

 

An auto driver, Mohammad Aktar, said the YSRCP announced nine welfare schemes during the last elections, but not all have been implemented properly.

 

“Under the Amma Vodi scheme, my family received the annual financial assistance of Rs 13,000 given to women for their children’s education only once,” said Mallikarjuna, a small-time real estate agent.

 

Upset over labour shortages, progressive farmer Govinda Reddy said, “It is difficult to find labourers during crucial months of harvesting and sowing due to improper implementation of the MNREGA scheme called ‘Upadi Hami Pathakam’.

 

There are seven assembly seats in the Kurnool Parliamentary constituency, out of which the Bharatiya Janata Party is contesting the Adoni assembly seat for the first time.

 

Dominated by Muslim voters constituting about 16.55 percent, locals say the ruling YSRCP has disappointed people due to a lack of implementation of promises, while people are hesitant to vote for the Telugu Desam Party because of its alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

 

The YSRCP had won the Kurnool parliamentary and all seven assembly seats in 2019. However, this time it is a triangular contest.