Vamsikrishna’s nomination for Vizag-South sparks a row

The nomination of MLC Ch Vamsikrishna Srinivasa Yadav of the Jana Sena Party (JSP) for the Visakhapatnam South Assembly constituency has caused unhappiness among members of the alliance parties, particularly the TDP and BJP. Even within the JSP, some sections expressed reservations about his candidature, citing concerns over his suitability for a constituency predominantly comprising fishermen.
However, despite initial mistrust, Vamsikrishna’s grassroots campaign has gathered momentum, swaying opinion in his favour. Through rigorous door-to-door canvassing, frequent interactions with party workers, and engaging programs with diverse community groups, he has managed to rally support.
Of late, Vamsikrishna has gained support from important people like TDP’s Gandi Babjee, former Brahmin Corporation Chairman Sitharamaraju Sudhakar, and powerful business leaders. This surge in support has strengthened his electoral prospects. The Visakhapatnam-South constituency, one of seven in the Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha region, holds crucial political importance.
Historically, it has been a TDP stronghold, with Vasupalli Ganesh Kumar winning consecutively in 2014 and 2019. However, Kumar’s recent switch to the YSRCP has created an opening for rival parties to challenge TDP’s dominance.
In a bid to reclaim lost ground, TDP appointed seasoned politician Gandi Babjee as the constituency in-charge, hoping to mobilise grassroots support. Despite these efforts, the seat was ultimately allocated to the JSP as part of the alliance’s seat-sharing agreement.
The electorate of Visakhapatnam South comprises diverse communities, including fishermen, Muslims, Vaishyas, Brahmins, and long-standing migrant people. Notably, voters in this constituency prioritise a candidate’s personality and local reputation over party affiliations, making it a unique electoral battleground. Incumbent MLA Vasupalli Ganesh Kumar, renowned for his strong grassroots presence and effective implementation of YSRCP initiatives, remains a formidable opponent.
His weekly grievance programme attracts significant attendance, underscoring his deep-rooted connection with the electorate.