Kakinada:The demand to include Mandapeta assembly constituency in East Godavari district has been revived again with the NDA alliance government coming back to power. People of Mandapeta, which falls within the Amalapuram Lok Sabha, have been culturally involved with Rajamahendravaram city in East Godavari district for decades, including for their business and shopping needs.
When the previous YSRC government reorganised the districts, it included Mandapeta constituency in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district. However, when Mandapeta people objected to it, the then chief minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy agreed to sort out the matter. However, then Mandapeta MLA Thota Trimurthulu objected and Mandapeta remained in Konaseema district.
While campaigning in the Mandapeta constituency during the 2024 general elections, Vegulla Jogeswara Rao of TD promised to people of the constituency that he will include the constituency in East Godavari district. Having been elected as MLA, he has started raising his voice, including within the State Legislative Assembly, to include Mandapeta in East Godavari district.
The MLA told Deccan Chronicle that from the beginning, people of the Mandapeta have remained linked with Rajamahendravaram, as the city is just about 18 km to 35 km away from the constituency. But with Mandapeta being included in Konaseema district, Mandapeta people have to travel 55 km to 78 km to reach the district headquarter of Amalapuram, whether to reach the collector's office or for other official work.
Jogeswara Rao alleged that Thota Trimurthulu, now MLC, had got Mandepeta included in Konaseema, as Trimurthulu has properties in that district. Mandapeta MLA Jogeswara expressed confidence that the present NDA government will respond positively and include Mandapeta constituency in East Godavari district.
