It is an open fact that Revanth Reddy, the Chief Minister of Telangana has an affinity toward the Kamma community in Telangana, and he appears to be further cultivating that support by unveiling a large NTR statue in the Ameerpet region even before the GHMC elections.
Of course, N T Rama Rao was the TDP Chief Minister of the united Andhra Pradesh and has a significant legacy. However, Revanth Reddy belongs to the Congress party, not the TDP.
Technically, one could argue that he should focus on honoring Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, the Congress Chief Minister of united Andhra Pradesh who won two consecutive terms without facing anti-incumbency.
Yet Revanth Reddy seems to be emphasizing NTR, likely because he understands that the Kamma community is strongly behind him and he does not want to risk losing their support.
He may also believe that Reddy voters are already divided between caste considerations and sympathy toward the YSRCP, and therefore he is willing to accept that split.
The Seemandhra Reddy voters are more inclined towards YSRCP and wish to vote for whichever party maintains good relationship with YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.
On the other hand, KTR is not openly courting Reddy voters even though many of them are seen as supportive of him.
It is widely known that KTR has a good personal relationship with Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy. In fact, between 2019 and 2024 there was a certain level of camaraderie between KCR and Jagan while governing Telangana and Andhra Pradesh respectively.
In such a scenario, if KTR were to openly acknowledge his affinity toward the YSRCP, more Reddy voters might consolidate behind him.
Some insiders are reportedly advising him to take that step. However, it seems he is hesitant, perhaps fearing that he could lose Kamma votes.
What he may need to recognize, according to some within his party, is that the Kamma community is unlikely to vote for him in large numbers anyway.
Therefore, to pull Reddy voters away from Revanth Reddy and consolidate that community’s support, KTR may need to openly acknowledge his rapport with the YSRCP.
That, at least, is the message some party members are conveying to him. It remains to be seen what he will ultimately decide.