The political temperature in Pulivendula, the constituency represented by former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, is rising, as former allies-turned-rivals engage in a public war of words.
Former MLC and YSRCP leader S.V. Satish Kumar Reddy and TDP leader Mareddy Ravindranath Reddy (popularly known as B.Tech Ravi), also a former MLC, have locked horns, daring each other to prove the other wrong.
Mr. Satish Kumar Reddy, who served as Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council during the TDP regime (2014–2019), was a staunch opponent of the YS family for decades, having contested multiple times against Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. His decision to switch sides and join the YSR Congress in the presence of Mr. Jagan ahead of the 2024 elections came as a political surprise. Following his exit, the TDP fielded B.Tech Ravi as its candidate from Pulivendula.
The current row began after Mr. Satish Reddy allegedly made derogatory remarks against Minister for Education Nara Lokesh. Mr. Ravi objected strongly to the language used, warning of serious consequences—remarks Mr. Satish interpreted as a physical threat.
Responding to the accusation, Mr. Ravi dismissed the claim, saying Mr. Satish was not “significant enough” in the constituency to be seen as a threat.
Although the issue seemed to be cooling down, Mr. Satish reignited tensions by criticising the State government over law and order and what he called “political witch-hunting.” Mr. Ravi hit back by highlighting his long-standing association with the TDP.
Adding to the tension, senior TDP leader and MLC Bhumireddy Ramagopal Reddy also waded into the controversy, warning Mr. Satish Reddy to “mend his ways.”
Published – July 27, 2025 08:32 pm IST
