Kalinga community voters to play vital role in Tekkali

Srikakulam: Tekkali assembly constituency in the district is witnessing neck to neck fight. After the formation of the constituency, elections were held for 16 times here and Congress candidates won five times; Swatantra party candidates won three times; TDP won on seven occasions and Janata party won once. Total voters in the segment are 2.18 lakh. Tekkali constituency covers Tekkali, Santhabommali, Kotabommali and Nandigama mandals.

Kalinga caste voters contribute a major part in the electorate as they are more than 69,500. Next place is occupied by Turpukapu caste which has voters with 32,500. Fishermen caste voters are 32,000, Reddyka caste voters are more than 31,000 and Polinativelama caste voters stand in fifth place with 19,000 votes. Sitting MLA and Minister K Atchannaidu belongs to Polinativelama caste.

First time MLA, K Atchannaidu got berth in state cabinet in 2014 as Minister. There has been an allegation that as minister, he neglected Kalinga community people which has largest votes. So, YSRCP declared its candidate from Kalinga caste and fielded P Tilak and it may be an advantage to YSRCP. In addition to it, fishermen are against TDP as the government failed to fulfill its assurance made in 2014 elections for inclusion of fishermen in Scheduled Tribe (ST) list.

TDP is eyeing on the votes of other castes and also explaining development works in Tekkali segment like roads, houses, lift irrigation projects, safe drinking water supply schemes and welfare schemes.