The YCP is reportedly working on a new strategy to give a shock to the Kinjarapu family in Srikakulam district.
The party has been very keen on winning the Srikakulam Lok Sabha seat for a long time. However, this seat has remained out of its reach. The YCP has contested this seat in three consecutive elections but faced defeat every time.
The party tried different experiments, changed candidates from different communities and brought in new faces, but victory never came its way.
Now, the YCP is said to be planning a new strategy based on community sentiment.
Political circles say the party wants to use the dissatisfaction among a strong social group in Srikakulam district to its advantage.
For decades, the Srikakulam MP seat has largely been dominated by one community. Since 1996, except for around five years, the seat has remained with leaders from the Velama community for nearly 28 years.
Interestingly, two leaders from the Kinjarapu family represented this seat for many years.
Late Kinjarapu Yerran Naidu served as MP for 13 years, while Ram Mohan Naidu has been MP for around 15 years. Both also served as Union Ministers.
When it comes to community numbers in Srikakulam district, Kalingas have a strong presence.
In the past, several MPs came from this community. After many years, leaders from this section are now strongly hoping that the MP seat should come back to them.
In this backdrop, the YCP is reportedly considering former Union Minister Killi Kruparani as its candidate for the Srikakulam MP seat in 2029.
The party is also said to be viewing her as a lucky candidate.
In 2009, Killi Kruparani contested as a Congress candidate and defeated Kinjarapu Yerran Naidu. Later, she became a Union Minister in the UPA government.
Now, if Ram Mohan Naidu contests again in 2029, the YCP leadership reportedly believes Kruparani could be the right candidate to challenge him.
At present, Killi Kruparani is with the Congress. However, there is talk that she may soon join the YCP.
If this turns out to be true, the YCP hopes to use both the woman candidate sentiment and strong community backing to make a serious attempt at winning the Srikakulam MP seat this time.
