Senior YSR Congress party legislator and former minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy, who wielded significant influence in the Rayalaseema region, particularly in the erstwhile combined Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, is beginning to feel the pressure from the newly-formed Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
During the tenure of the YSRCP government under Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Peddireddy caused considerable trouble for Naidu.
Allegations suggest that he had turned his Punganur constituency into his personal stronghold, preventing other parties like the TDP and Jana Sena from gaining any foothold in the region.
Peddireddy was also tasked with weakening the TDP and Naidu in Naidu's own Kuppam assembly constituency.
With the assistance of police officials like Chittoor SP Rishant Reddy, who were loyal to him, Peddireddy created significant challenges for his political opponents.
Whenever Naidu visited Kuppam, he faced severe resistance from YSRCP members, orchestrated by Peddireddy.
Such was Peddireddy's influence that Naidu was barred from entering Punganur and faced stone-pelting when he attempted to visit.
At Angallu village near Punganur, YSRCP workers allegedly resorted to violence, but the police filed cases against TDP workers and leaders instead.
Now, Naidu appears ready to exact his revenge.
During his recent visit to Kuppam, Naidu held meetings with local TDP leaders and began strategizing to capture Punganur municipality, mirroring Peddireddy's tactics in Kuppam.
On Thursday, Punganur municipal chairman Aleem Basha, who had attained his position with Peddireddy's support, defected to the TDP along with 11 councillors after resigning from the YSRCP. Basha, previously loyal to Peddireddy, described him as a dictator.
"I was just a figurehead in the municipality. It was Peddireddy who dominated everything. I feel relieved after quitting the YSRCP," Basha said, adding that many other councillors are also interested in joining the TDP.
According to sources, Naidu's next target is Madanapalli municipality, also under Peddireddy's control.
"In the coming days, the TDP plans to neutralize Peddireddy's influence throughout the district," sources said.