Kurnool: Kurnool district is witnessing new friendships for the April 11 elections, with traditional rivals sharing the same stage. This has caused its own set of challenges.
Rivals Kotla Surya Prakash Reddy and K.E. Krishna Murthy in the Kurnool Lok Sabha constituency, Byreddy Rajasekhar Reddy and Gouru Venkata Reddy in Nandikotkur, Kothakota Prakash Reddy and D. Vishnuvardhan Reddy in Kodumur and Gagnula Prabhakar Reddy and Irigela Rampulla Reddy patch-ups were worked out recently by the TD and the YSRC to firm up their political prospects.
While deputy CM Krishna Murthy and former Union minister Suryaprakash Reddy joined hands, the victims of their politics who are serving jail terms and their family members cannot reconcile with the latest reality.
A notorious factionist, Kapattrala Venkatappa Naidu who survived 11 murder attempts was killed by his rivals allegedly supported by Mr Suryaprakash Reddy 12 years ago. Nearly 20 members were convicted and are undergoing jail terms, including Maddilety Naidu, a key follower of Mr Suryaprakash Reddy.
In 2017, YSRC leader Churukulapadu Narayana Reddy, a relative of Mr Suryaprakash Reddy was killed by rivals, allegedly supported by Krishna Murthy’s family. In the Nandikotkur Assembly segment 100 people were killed in MLA Rajasekhar Reddy-Mr Venkata Reddy tiff.
