Vizag South a tough combat zone for MLA candidates

The decision to eld MLC Ch. Vamsikrishna Srinivasa Yadav of the JSP against two-time MLA Vasupalli Ganesh Kumar for Visakhapatnam South Assembly constituency was met with resentment from cadres of the alliance parties of TDP and BJP and even from a few sections of the JSP. The leaders opined that Mr. Yadav might not be the best choice for the constituency whose voters are predominantly from the shermen’s community.

However, as his door-todoor campaign picked pace, Mr. Vamsikrishna managed to turn the tide in his favour with his intense electioneering. During the past few weeks, he has also seemed to earn the full support of TDP constituency in-charge Gandi Babjee, former Brahmin Corporation Chairman Sitharamaraju Sudhakar, and several corporate leaders.

Visakhapatnam South constituency, was formed in 2008 as per the delimitation orders. In 2009, senior politician Dronamraju Srinivasa Rao won from the Congress. In 2014 and 2019, Vasupalli Ganesh Kumar emerged victorious from the TDP, later moving to YSRCP.

Prominent voter communities here include shermen (several communities), Muslims, Vaishyas, and Brahmins.

This constituency is said to be di•erent from the others because voters prioritise the candidate’s personality and goodwill while voting, irrespective of the political scenario at the State and Central levels.

While sitting MLA Vasupalli Ganesh Kumar is known as a strong contender, a section of the YSRCP corporators from the

South Constituency have complained to the YSRCP regional coordinator, Y.V. Subba Reddy, and demanded not to allot him the MLA ticket. Several corporators joined the JSP and TDP in protest after their demand was unheeded.

Meanwhile, Mr. Yadav has been extensively taking forward the TDP-JSP’s super-six programme, besides stressing unemployment and price rise. Issues like pollution, lack of amenities, housing, lack of vending zones, development of shing harbour and a few other areas issues are being highlighted. Besides, he is banking on the youth and fans of his party president Pawan Kalyan.

Visakhapatnam South constituency was formed in 2008 as per the delimitation orders. It is home to the picturesque landmark of Dolphin’s Nose, which attracts a large number of tourists every year.