Khammam district has always been like a sour grape for the BRS. Even during the separate Telangana movement, there was not much impact of the struggle in the district. However, BRS president and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is keen on his party’s victory from at least a few of the total 10 constituencies in the border district.
Today, KCR would address public meetings in Dammapet and Burgampadu mandals. He had already addressed public in Paleru, Sattupalli, Khammam and Kothagudem constituencies.
Despite extra efforts by KCR, Khammam district never fell in the BRS’ kitty. In a bid to gain some foothold, he lured many MLAs of other political parties into his party. Minister Puvvada Ajay, former MP Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, MLAs Sandra Venkata Veeraiah, Meccha Nageswara Rao, Vanama Venkateswara Rao are a few among those who fell for KCR’s bait.
Even senior politician Tummala Nageswara Rao was also pulled into the party and for some time, the BRS seemed to be active in the district. However, for the upcoming elections, the party seems to be lacking the vigor what with seniors like Tummala and Ponguleti shifting loyalties to the Congress.
According to the buzz, Puvvada might not win in the upcoming elections. The BRS might not register victory in any of the constituencies, except Sattupalli. This clearly indicates that Khammam had been a tough nut to crack for KCR.
This is mainly because the public in the district are not connected to the separate Telangana sentiment. Being proximal to Krishna and Godavari districts, the people in Khammam prefer travelling to Eluru and Vijayawada frequently for their daily needs. In the last two elections, the BRS could not make inroads into the district but this time, KCR is trying to make his party’s presence felt in Khammam for which he is addressing back-to-back public meetings. It has to be seen how far his efforts would brighten the BRS’ fortune in Khammam district.