Once Congress bastion, Makthal now hopes for development, while BRS promises growth, Congress, BJP call for change

Assembly Constituency: Makthal

District: Narayanpet

MLA: Chittem Rammohan Reddy 

Total Voters: 2,30,516

Booths: 284

Urban Voters: 4%

Rural Voters: 96%

Male: 50.75 %

Female: 49.25 %

Caste & Religious Demography:

• Gen + OBC: 81%

• SC: 16 %

• ST: 3 %

• Hindu: 90 %

• Muslim: 8 %

• Others : 2 %

Candidates:

Chittem Rammohan Reddy (BRS)

He was born on January 30, 1969 to Chittem Narsi Reddy and Sumitra Reddy in Dhanwada, but later they settled in Makthal. Narsi Reddy was a freedom fighter and worked as an MLA for three times and as an MLC two times. Rammohan Reddy shifted to Hyderabad for studies. After B.Com, he tried to join the police force but started a business, instead, in 1984. Rammohan Reddy is married to Sucharitha and has two sons, Chanikya and Prudhvish.

Vakiti Srihari (Congress)

Srihari is the DCC president of Narayanpet district. A first-timer to contest the Assembly elections, Srihari is confident that his association with the people at the grassroots level will help him win the election. It was in 2014 that Chittem Rammohan Reddy won the seat from the Congress. After that, the Congress refrained from contesting in 2018.

Madireddy Jalandhar Reddy (BJP)

An agriculturalist by profession, Jalandhar Reddy contested as an independent in 2018 and got 31,258 votes. BJP candidate Kondaiah got 20,131 votes. Jalandhar Reddy, who has donated land for the construction of a college in Makthal, hopes that his association with the people of the constituency will help him win the election.

Assembly constituency information:

Geography:

Makthal consist of six mandals -- Makthal, Narva, Maganoor, Athmakur and Utkoor.

Background:

Makthal constituency was formed in 1952. In all, elections have taken place 15 times in this Assembly constituency. Eight times, the Congress has won, three times the TDP and the BRS won once in 2018.

Makthal was basically a Congress bastion until 1994 when Yella Reddy clinched it from Chittem Narsi Reddy (D.K Aruna’s father) in 1994 and later it became a two-way seat. Amarachintha and Narva mandals are strongholds of the CPI(M) and the CPI.

Agriculture is the main livelihood of this constituency. Paddy, peanut, red gram, jowar, bajra and maize and vegetables are grown here. Sangambanda and Buthpur reservoirs are the main water bodies in Makthal. Under these two projects, more than 50,000 acres of land is cultivated.

Many people depend on Beedi for their livelihood. On the south side of Makthal is River Krishna and on the west side is the border town of Raichur. In all,  there are 155 gram panchayats in Makthal. SC,ST, and BC voters form a majority in Makthal.

MLA Profile:

Personal Background:

Present MLA Chittem Rammohan Reddy started his political career in 2005 by-elections after his father Narsi Reddy and brother Venkateshwar Reddy were assassinated by Naxalites. With this sympathy, he won in 2005 by-elections.

Political Background:

He contested in a by-poll as a Congress candidate. In 2009, he lost to Kothakota Dayakar Reddy. In 2014, he won as a Congress candidate and in 2016, he defected to the BRS in 2016 and won the 2018 elections.

Profession: Business

Financial: Strong2014 Assembly constituency analysis:

• In the 2014 elections, Congress candidate Chittem Rammohan Reddy secured victory, propelled by the recognition associated with his father's name and Congress's support for a separate Telangana state.

• The backing of the Reddy community played a significant role in the candidate's success in 2014.

• Kothakota Dhayakar Reddy, who was an MLA from the TDP until 2014, contributed to the anti-TDP sentiment.

• The TDP, being in opposition, faced challenges in the wake of the Telangana movement, hindering developmental activities.

• The perception of the TDP as an Andhra party, coupled with its alliance with the BJP, further fueled anti-TDP sentiments and favoured the Congress in 2014.

• Yelkoti Yella Reddy's candidacy for the BRS faced criticism as he switched loyalty from the TDP to the BRS just before the elections. This shift impacted the electorate's perception during the 2014 elections.

• The dynamic factors, including political alliances, individual party changes, and sentiments related to the Telangana movement, collectively influenced the outcome of the 2014 elections.

2018 Assembly constituency analysis:

• In the 2018 Assembly elections, the BRS Government's welfare schemes and a widespread BRS wave significantly influenced the electoral landscape.

• Notable developments in Narava and Utkoor mandals included the establishment of junior colleges, the creation of 12 new substations, and the establishment of five residential colleges around the Makthal Assembly constituency.

• Makthal Pedha Cheruvu (lake) underwent a transformation into a Mini Tankbund, enhancing its significance and contributing to the local environment.

• Infrastructure improvements featured prominently, with the introduction of a new shopping complex in the market yard area and the construction of two new warehouses.

• The Makthal constituency witnessed comprehensive development initiatives, including the filling of seventy lakes along the Narsireddy reservoir and various other developmental activities.

• The combined impact of these initiatives and welfare schemes played a pivotal role in creating a favorable environment for the BRS party during the 2018 elections

Current Situation:

• The Kundadhoddi lift irrigation project remains under construction, contributing to the persistent scarcity of drinking water in the area.

• Sathyasai Trust continues to play a crucial role in supplying water to the town amid the ongoing construction of the irrigation project.

• Bheema phase 1 and phase 2 provide irrigation water to specific areas, but many agricultural lands are still grappling with water shortages.

• Utkoor mandal is particularly affected by a lack of irrigation water, impacting agricultural activities in the region.

• The water scarcity issue has led to migration, with people relocating to Hyderabad and Raichuru in search of better water availability and livelihood opportunities.

• Addressing the completion of the Kundadhoddi lift irrigation project and implementing sustainable water management strategies are essential to mitigate the challenges faced by the community.

Key Local Issues:

• Challenges persist in the region, including the need for underground drainage and road expansion.

• Numerous villages face deficiencies in essential infrastructure such as schools, roads, and drinking water facilities.

• Utkoor and Amarachintha mandals experience acute water scarcity, affecting both drinking water supply and irrigation needs.

• The issue of migrant labour is prominent in Makthal, requiring attention to address associated challenges.

• Urgent requirements include the establishment of a degree college and the renovation or construction of hostels.

• Infrastructure development is needed, including a new bus stand, a civil court, and widening of roads.

• The region seeks strategies for providing employment opportunities for unemployed young people, addressing a critical aspect of community welfare and development.