Trouble Mounts for Dy. CM Narayana Swamy in GD Nellore as Local YSRC Leaders Revolt

Tirupati: Deputy chief minister K. Narayana Swamy appears to be facing strong opposition in his GD Nellore assembly constituency from local YSR Congress leaders, which is posing a serious challenge to his re-election plans for the 2024 state polls.

On Monday, a dissident faction of YSRC leaders from Penumuru, GD Nellore, Palasamudram and Karvetinagaram mandals in the constituency, led by district general secretary Dayakar Reddy, held a meeting to oppose the re-nomination of Swamy as the party candidate.

The rebel faction, including Dayakar Reddy, took a firm stand against extending support to Swamy in the next election. At the meeting, Swamy’s opponents raised banners with messages like “We Want Jagan” and “We Don't Want Narayana Swamy.”

Lambasting the deputy CM’s style of functioning, Dayakar Reddy accused Narayana Swamy of actively promoting groupism within the party structure across mandals in the constituency. The dissidents passed a resolution saying they would not back Swamy.

Swamy also faces rivalry from former MP M Gnanendra Reddy vis-a-vis local party affairs and constituency development. Last week, some leaders had attempted, unsuccessfully, to meet minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy to complain against Swamy and oppose his re-nomination.

According to sources, the resentment among local YSRC functionaries against Narayana Swamy has strengthened factionalism in the YSRC, threatening the party’s base in the constituency.

The tussle for dominance between Swamy and Gnanendra Reddy in the handling of constituency affairs is considered a major trigger for the intra-party rebellion.