*Film personalities Jamuna, Muralimohan elected
*Now NTR’s daughter for Lok Sabha
*It is acclaimed birthplace of the Telugu language
*Social reformer Kandukuri fight for women’s education, against dowry
*First widow marriage took place
Patibandla Srinivas
Amaravati: East Godavari district’s headquarters Rajamahendravaram has been known as the cultural capital of Andhra Pradesh and once again it has gained political significance in the present elections with former Union Minister and NTR’s daughter Daggubati Purandeeswari contesting from the Lok Sabha segment on BJP’s ticket.
The Rajamahendravaram city has historical and cultural background and it was the hotbed of several movements during India’s freedom struggle and acted as a base for many prominent leaders.
Social Reformer Kandukuri Veersalingam and Hindu Samaj founder Subba Rao who is also one of the six founders of India’s noted English Daily The Hindu are the natives of the city.
Rajahmundry is acclaimed as the birthplace of Telugu language. The first poet of Telugu Language, Adi Kavi Nannayya who translated Mahabharata from Sanskrit to Telugu along with Tikkanna and Yerranna also belonged to the city. ( cultural capital )
Rajahmundry was the hotbed of several movements in India’s freedom struggle and the city was a base for several leaders. It’s apt to mention here that the city was the venue for the first widow remarriage in 1881. Prominent personality Kandukuri Veersalingam was also considered the father of the Telugu Renaissance movements that started historical movements from the city. He encouraged education for women and remarriage of widows. He fought against the child marriage and the dowry system.
In this backdrop, especially the city connection with social reforms for women’s equality and rights, the entry of former Chief Minister and legendary hero NT Rama Rao’s daughter Daggubati Purandeswari as a contestant for Rajahmundry Lok Sabha seat assumed significance in the present elections. She is contesting on a BJP ticket for Lok Sabha.
In the past, noted actress Jamuna and actor Maganti Murali Mohan won each once for Rajahmundry Lok Sabha. NTR’s relative Chundru Srihari Rao was elected once. SPB Pattabhi Rama Rao and Datla Satyanarayana Raju were elected thrice from the Lok Sabha on Congress ticket.
Datla Satyanarayana Raju served as a doctor for Netaji Subhash Chandrabose and worked in the Indian Military also. He was represented as a member of the Union Cabinet like Pattabhi Rama Rao. Congress leader Undavalli Arun Kumar, who was elected twice, had also played an important role and become the center of attraction in State politics.
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However, now Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s election tour a day ago in Rajahmundry and his assurance for early completion of the Polavaram project is likely to turn out to be a big encouragement to the voters. Moreover, Purandeswari’s stature in national politics and her legacy as NTR’s daughter are helpful for prospects.
Apart from this, the voters of Rajahmundry elected the BJP candidates twice in the 1998 and 1999 Lok Sabha elections. Anaparthy, Rajanagaram, Rajahmundry City, Rajahmundry Rural, Kovvuru, Nidadavole, and Gopalapuram Assembly segments are under the purview of Rajahmundry Lok Sabha.
The TDP has chances to win five to six Assembly segments in Rajahmundry Lok Sabha limits in the total of seven Assembly seats. The internal rivalry against the TDP candidate in the Gopalapuram Assembly is a major setback.
It is a good seat originally for TDP. The BJP leadership should take steps to avoid cross-voting within the limits in a particular Assembly segment as it would lead to unexpected problems for some time.
As per the latest reports, in Anaparthy assembly Nallamalli Ramakrishna Reddy has improved winning chances. The TDP leader and former leader had to join BJP to contest the election. The TDP and Jana Sena’s strength in the remaining constituencies is a major advantage to Purandeswari.
Senior legislator Gorantla Buchhaiah Chowdary and TDP senior leader late K Yerranaidu’s son-in-law Adireddy Vasu both are contesting in Rajahmundry rural and urban segments respectively and are strong supporters of NTR’s daughter.
Gorantla is one of the most senior legislators in the state and he is strong pillar of TDP. Kovuru and Nidavolu constituencies with a strong TDP and Jana Sena base are deciding factors in the elections.
The anti-incumbency factor of the government will play a major role in the elections, according to sources. NTR’s daughter Purandeswari is likely to be elected proving her historical background as the successor of women’s priority movements of Rajahmundry.