Botsa Satyanarayana’s brother set to join Jana Sena, signaling political shift in Vizianagaram

Visakhapatnam: The political landscape of Vizianagaram district is witnessing a significant shift with Lakshmana Rao, brother of the prominent YSRC leader, former minister, MLC Botsa Satyanarayana, preparing to throw his lot in with Jana Sena (JS). This move is set to occur in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, marking a pivotal moment in the local political arena.

Recent interactions have seen Lakshmana Rao in discussions with Nellimarla MLA Lokam Naga Madhavi, indicating not just his personal transition but also a broader trend where several sarpanches from the Nellimarla constituency are ready to hoist the JS flag. This development suggests a growing swell of support for JS, potentially altering the political dynamics of numerous mandals in the district.

The migration of leaders from YSRC to JS could fortify the latter's grassroots presence, particularly in the rural areas of Vizianagaram. This shift is anticipated to give JS a competitive edge in the forthcoming elections, aiming to leverage this momentum for victories in regional and local body polls.

The political implications of Lakshmana Rao's defection might challenge the Telugu Desam (TD) in the district, as there seems to be a reluctance from TD leaders to report this changing tide to their higher-ups, indicating internal communication challenges or strategic recalibrations.

Interestingly, with the JS and BJP in an alliance government, the opposition landscape in Vizianagaram appears predominantly held by YSRC, yet the silence from YSRC leaders and activists on this significant political realignment hints at a broader political fatigue or strategic retreat. The move by a member of the influential Botsa family to JS underscores a notable weakening of opposition forces against the current ruling coalition in the district.