BRS MLA Koneru Konappa looking for third straight win in Sirpur against familiar opponents

Assembly Constituency: Sirpur

District: Komaram Bheem

MLA: Koneru Konappa (Kamma)

MP: Soyam Bapu Rao (BJP, Mala)

Reservation: Gen

Total Voters: 2,17,260

Male: 51%

Female: 49%

Booths: 293

Urban Voters: 88%

Rural Voters: 12%

Caste & Religious Demography:

• Gen + OBC: 68.4%
• SC: 19.4%
• ST: 12.2%
• Hindu: 88.%
• Muslim: 9%
• Others : 3%

Koneru Konappa (BRS)

He started his political journey with the Congress. From 2004-2009, he was elected as MLA from the Congress in Sirpur, Later on, he joined the BSP and won again in 2014. But he later shifted loyalties to the BRS and won again in 2018. He is now looking for a third straight win.

Raavi Srinivas (Congress)

He belongs to the Kamma community. He is the nephew of Koneru Konappa and that is a big plus as a local. He is also active on ground and poses hard questions to the sitting MLA. According to surveys he has the ability to cut votes.

Dr. Palvai Harish Babu (BJP)

He was the Sirpur Assembly constituency in-charge of the Congress but joined the BJP a couple of years ago. A doctor by profession, Harish Babu has strong ground support in Sirpur-Kagaznagar Assembly constituency. In the 2018 Assembly polls, Harish Babu had contested from Sirpur with a Congress ticket and had managed to get about 59,000 votes, though he didn’t win. He is the son of former Sirpur MLA Palvai Purushotham Rao, who was gunned down inside his party office by Maoists on September 15, 1999. Palvai Rajyalaxmi, wife of Purushotham Rao, became the MLA after her husband’s death.

Assembly Constituency information:

Geography: Sirpur consists of 7 mandals namely Koutala, Bejjur, Kagaznagar, Sirpur (T), Dahegaon, Penchikalpet, and Chintalamanepally in the constituency.

Background: It is General Reserved Constituency. From 1989 TDP won 2 times,TRS won 2 times, INC 1 time, IND 1 time, BSP 1 time.

KagaznagarTown holds significant sway over the electoral outcome of the Constituency.Main occupation are Agriculture and Paper Industry

MLA Profile: Personal Background: Konappa was born on Oct 7th 1955 in Sirpur.He studied till Intermediate.

Profession: Agriculture,Business

Remarks: Actively interacts with the people and a very good leader.

Cultural / Historical / Religious Identifiers:

Kali Temple in Kagaznagar

Sirpur - Sri Jagannadha Temple

Bajpur - Sri Rajeshwara Swamy Temple

Sirpur - Sri Siddeshwara Temple

Bheebra - Sri Shivalayam

Chandrapalli - Sri Mahadev Temple

2014 Election Analysis:

In 2014, Konappa didn't get a ticket from Congress. So he shifted to BSP. Konappa was able to get votes of SCs which boosted his image.

Telanagna sentiment helped the BRS (then TRS) but it was not enough to win the Assembly seat. Sammaiah was able to consolidate Padmashaali votes and split votes of other OBC and Muslims back then.

ST votes too got split between the TRS and the BSP.

The INC secured their core vote bank of Muslims, SC.

2018 Election Analysis:

After the 2014 elections, Konappa joined the TRS.

Sirpur Paper Mills handed over by JK Management was the main reason for Konappa winning this election. He gained popularity amongst the public with his social service. He got a vote share of 50.57 per cent.

INC Candidate Palavai Harish Babu has a good image in public due to social service. He got a vote share of 35.6 per cent.

BJP got a vote share of 3.82 as the candidate was weak.

Current Situation:

Konappa, with his recent NITHYA ANNADANA SATRAM, boosted his image in public. He is popular among Muslims apart from other castes. However, a strong muslim leader Arshad Hussain joined the BSP along with his supporters. This may affect Konappa and the BRS.

Key Local Issues:

Acute shortage of drinking water in the AC especially in the hilly areas

Non functioning of Sirpur Paper Mills

Lower Penganga project