Anantapur: BJP MLA Satya Kumar of Dharmavaram assembly segment got the chance to be the first minister from the BJP in this geographical region. Notably, for the first time, the BJP got a representation in the state cabinet from the Rayalaseema region.
This time three BJP MLAs won the polls -- from Dharmavaram of Satya Sai district, C.Adibarayana Reddy from Jammalamadugu segment and dental doctor Parthasarathi from Kurnool district.
Satyakumar, though a senior leader from the BJP, won the Dharmavaram assembly sat. He had a tough fight against YSRC sitting MLA Venkatrami Reddy. Though Satyakumar used his BC card, there was high suspense till the last round, and Satyakumar won the seat finally with more than 3000 votes majority against the YSRC rival.
The BJP high command preferred Satyakumar in the cabinet from Rayalaseema even as senior leader and Jammalamadugu MLA Adinarayana Reddy won the polls from YS Jagan’s home district. Adinarayana Reddy was formerly with TD but joined YSRC and won the Jammalamadugu seat.
Party sources said the BJP high command was firm on improving the party’s strength in the state even as it maintained cardial relations with TD and JS. Satyakumar who held various positions including in-charge of two states opted for Dharmavaram, won the polls and became a minister.
Meanwhile, Rayachoti MLA Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy gets berth in the ministry from Kadapa district while senior leader and BJP MLA Adinarayana Reddy and Proddatur MLA Varadarajulu Reddy gave a holiday to their ambitions.
Ramprasad Reddy humbled chief whip Gadikota Srikanth Reddy. In addition to other districts, there was a big competition for a cabinet berth from Kadapa combined district, the home turf of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. Though the Kadapa MLA, the Proddatur MLA of the TD and the Jammalamadugu MLA Adinarayana Reddy were in the race along with MLC Ramgopal Reddy, lady luck smiled on the Rayachoti MLA from Kadapa area.
A senior leader from Anantapur observed many posts were still to be filled, including the speaker, deputy speaker and Whips posts. Seniors from the region might stand a chance.
Though Savitha from Kuruba community and MLA from Penukonda was given the minister post, there was no representation for Boyas, the dominant community in the Rayalaseema region. Kalava Sreenivasulu, who had been a minister in 2014-19, missed the chance. Party sources said he will still get “top priority.”
