Devarakadra voters want speedy completion of development works including Palamuru Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme

Assembly Constituency: Devarkadra

District: Mahbubnagar

MLA: Alla Venkateshwar Reddy (Reddy)

Total Voters: 2,19,422

Booths: 289

Urban Voters: 8%

Rural Voters: 92%

Male: 49%

Female: 51%

Caste & Religious Demography:

• Gen + OBC: 79 %

• SC: 15 %

• ST: 6 %

• Hindu: 91 %

• Muslim: 7 %

• Others: 2 %

Candidates:

Alla Venkateshwar Reddy (BRS)

He was born on September 30, 1968, to Alla Raghupathi Reddy in Annasagar village of Boothpur mandal, Mahabubnagar district. He completed his B Tech in civil engineering from Marathwada Nanded University in 1990. Venkateshwar Reddy started his political journey with the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (now BRS). He was elected as an MLA from Devarakadra in 2014, on a BRS ticket. He was re-elected from the constituency in 2018.

G Madhusudan Reddy (Congress)

Madhusudan Reddy is the Congress Devarkadra constituency in-charge and TPCC secretary. The Congress candidate already completed one round of campaigning and he is in the second round at present. However, discontent is rising in the Congress party over the allotment of ticket to a Reddy. Congress workers were enraged that the ticket was given to Madhusudan Reddy and not to BC leader Pradeep Goud, stormed the district Congress office and destroyed chairs, banners, and other property. They also tried to burn chairs. The activists vowed to defeat the party, if their leader was not given the ticket.

Konda Prasahanth Reddy (BJP)

Born to Konda Pratap Reddy, the 39-year-old BJP leader is confident that he will win this constituency. He is campaigning door to door and explaining how a double-engine Government will help the State to develop. He is criticising sitting MLA Venkateshwara Reddy for failing to construct houses for the poor and highlights the failures of his predecessors to the voters.

Assembly constituency information:

Geography:

Devarakadra Assembly constituency was formed in 2009, as a part of the Delimitation Act. It consists of Devarakadra, Bhootpur, Addakkal, Chinna Chintakunta, Kothakota, Madanapur, and Moosapet mandals.

Background:

After the formation of this Assembly seat in 2009, Kothakota Sitha Dhayakar Reddy won as the TDP candidate for the first time from this Assembly constituency. After that, in 2014 and 2018 Alla Venkateshwar Reddy won as a BRS candidate. A majority of the people in the constituency depend on agriculture and Koil Sagar dam and Sarala Sagar dam water is the main source for irrigation. A majority of areas are deficient in water, due to pending work on major irrigation projects.

MLA profile:

Personal background:

Venkateshwar Reddy has a thriving real estate business in Hyderabad. Even though he belongs to the Reddy community, he influences other communities. His financial stability is also one of the reasons for his victory.

Political background:

Alla Venkateshwar Reddy Started his political career as a ZPTC member in TDP. In 2014 he joined the BRS and contested as an MLA and won. Based on the various welfare schemes launched by the BRS Government, he won the elections for a second time in 2018.

Profession: Real estate business

Financial Strength: Strong

2014 Assembly analysis:

• The TRS won the 2014 election in the Devarakadra Assembly constituency.

• Key contest is between Alla Venkateshwar Reddy (TRS) and Pavan Kumar (Congress).

• Telangana sentiment and Alla Venkateshwar Reddy's candidacy contributed to the BRS's victory.

• The TDP was labeled as an Andhra Party in 2014, influencing the election dynamics.

• Sitha Dayakar Reddy faced pressure to resign during the Telangana agitation but he resisted.

• Telangana agitation was initiated in 2009, and continued until 2014.

• Prolonged agitation impacted developmental activities.

• Combined factors, including sentiment, candidate appeal, and political issues, led to the TRS's success in 2014.

2018 Assembly analysis:

• The TRS Government implemented welfare schemes like Rytu Bandhu, Kalyana Laxmi, Shadi Mubarak, and Asara pensions. They played a crucial role in the 2018 Assembly elections.

• Social engineering played a role, with two Rajya Sabha seats given to major BC caste groups (Badugu Lingaiah Yadav, Banda Prakash Mudhiraj), securing their support.

• Mudhiraj and Yadavas, a majority in the Devarkadra Assembly segment, strongly supported the BRS in 2018.

• Reddy's and Muslims shifted allegiance from the Congress to the BRS, impacting the election dynamics.

• Reddies, who own a significant portion of agricultural lands, were major beneficiaries of the Rytu Bandh financial assistance scheme.

• The strategic combination of welfare initiatives, social engineering, and shifting demographics contributed to the BRS's victory in the 2018 elections.

Current situation:

• Residents of Devarakadra express discontent towards the sitting MLA and the BRS due to the incomplete railway overbridge (ROB).

• The construction of the ROB, vital for the town, was halted midway, causing significant problems for the people.

• The bridge, connecting Raichur and Mahabubnagar, remains incomplete from both sides, aggravating the challenges faced by the community.

• Despite the pressing need, the MLA has not been responsive to the concerns raised regarding the unfinished railway bridge.

• Another issue affecting the town is the presence of a sand mafia.

• The MLA and his close associates are allegedly involved in the sand business, resulting in inflated prices and artificial shortages.

• MLA's followers are accused of hoarding sand and selling it in black markets at exorbitant rates, compounding the difficulties faced by the residents.

• The combination of the incomplete ROB and allegations of sand mafia activities has led to heightened dissatisfaction and frustration among the people towards the MLA and the BRS administration.

Key local Issues:

• The Palamuru Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme works, including the construction of a reservoir at Karvena village in Buthpoor mandal, are currently pending.

• Farmers have willingly contributed their agricultural lands for the Karvena project, a vital component of the larger initiative.

• Despite the cooperation of farmers, the proposed project is still under construction, and the affected individuals have not received the promised compensation.

• The delay in providing compensation to the farmers has led to ongoing disputes, and the affected community continues to fight for their rightful compensation.

• The unresolved issue adds to the challenges faced by the local population and underscores the need for a swift and fair resolution to ensure the project's success and the well-being of those directly impacted.