YSRCP Insists on Loyalists for Upcoming Local Body Election Tickets

In a smoky hall in Kadapa on Monday, senior YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) brass gathered to draw a line in the sand over who will contest the forthcoming local‑body elections. The mood was decidedly unapologetic – the message was clear: tickets will go to those who have never wavered, not to the recent defectors who jumped ship during the party’s darkest hours.

The meeting was steered by district president P. Ravindranath Reddy, who also happens to be the maternal uncle of Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Moh Reddy. A long list of familiar faces sat alongside him – MP Y.S. Avinash Reddy, former Deputy Chief Minister S.B. Amzad Basha, state spokesperson Rachamallu Sivaprasad Reddy, Badvel MLA Dr Dasari Sudha, Rajampeta MLA Akepati Amarnatha Reddy, MLCs D.C. Govinda Reddy and Ramachandra Reddy, plus former Kadapa mayors K. Suresh Babu and Paka Suresh.

While the gathering was peppered with routine party‑building chatter, the core of the discussion centered on the ticket‑distribution strategy. Speakers did not mince words when they condemned the NDA‑led state government, branding its recent moves as “treacherous” and urging local cadres to be ready with a clear narrative for the voters.

Rachamallu Sivaprasad Reddy, a vocal state spokesperson, warned against the danger of “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” He reminded everyone that in the last election cycle, a handful of turncoats had secured tickets, won their contests, and then promptly crossed the floor to the ruling alliance for personal gain. “We cannot afford to let deceitful candidates cheat us again,” he said, his tone mixing caution with a hint of frustration.

Echoing that sentiment, other leaders stressed the need to reward long‑time members rather than newcomers who might be seeking a quick shortcut to power. “Our party’s strength lies in its loyal base,” said one speaker, adding that handing tickets to strangers would be akin to “letting strangers drive our bus.”

In a concrete move, Sivaprasad Reddy announced that every single one of the 480 tickets in the Proddatur constituency – from the municipal chairman down to the last village ward member – would be allotted exclusively to bona‑fide party members. No room for outsiders, no excuses.

MP Avinash Reddy appealed to the grassroots, urging them to mirror Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy’s relentless effort to bring YSRCP back to the helm of power. “Your dedication today will shape the future of Andhra Pradesh,” he said, with a brief pause that let the words sink in.

As the meeting drew to a close, the consensus was unmistakable: loyalty will be the gold standard for candidacy. Whether this strategy will translate into a sweeping victory remains to be seen, but for now the party’s inner circle appears determined to keep the reins firmly in the hands of its most steadfast supporters.