YSRCP moves to consolidate its vote bank in the North Andhra region ahead of 2024 elections

Its choice of candidates hailing from the communities that have hitherto been neglected for the MLC elections is seen as a well thought out strategy

The ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), which is keen on consolidating its vote bank in the North Andhra region, seems to have strategically chosen members of various communities hitherto neglected as its MLC candidates ahead of the 2024 general elections.

The selection of YSRCP State secretary Narthu Rama Rao as its candidate from Srikakulam under the local bodies quota vouches for it.

Mr. Rama Rao, who had unsuccessfully contested the 2014 general elections from Itcharapuram, belongs to the Yadava community.

The community, which is mostly involved in the dairy business, has been neglected by almost all the parties for the last three decades.

The selection of Mr. Rama Rao is seen as an attempt to please the community that plays a key role in the Itchapuram constituency, where the YSRCP had been defeated in 2019 inspite of the wave in its favour across the State.

The party had initially considered the names of A.P. Kalinga Vysysa Corporation chairman Andhavarapu Suribabu, former Srikakulam Municipal chairperson M.V. Padmavati and Srikakulam DCCB former chairman Dola Jaganmohana Rao for the MLC seat.

However, the leadership has plumped for Mr. Rama Rao to consolidate the vote bank in Itcharapum, where the TDP is strong and its candidate Bendalam Ashok had won the seat in 2019 elections.