In a stunning upset, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has clinched a historic victory in the Pulivendula ZPTC by-election held on August 14, 2025, in Andhra Pradesh’s YSR Kadapa district. Pulivendula, a stronghold of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and the home turf of former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, witnessed TDP’s candidate, Latha Reddy, securing a massive majority of over 5,000 votes against YSRCP’s Tummala Hemant Reddy. This article delves into the details of this high-stakes election, its controversies, and its implications, optimized for search engines to keep readers of MasalaMirror.com informed.

TDP’s Historic Win in Pulivendula

The Pulivendula ZPTC by-election, a fiercely contested battle, saw TDP’s Latha Reddy, wife of TDP leader B.Tech Ravi, triumph with 6,735 votes, defeating YSRCP’s Hemant Reddy, who secured only 683 votes—a margin of approximately 6,052 votes, as reported by some sources. This victory marks the first time in 30 years that TDP has won the Pulivendula ZPTC seat, a significant blow to YSRCP’s dominance in the region, often considered the unassailable fortress of the YSR family. The win was celebrated by TDP leaders, with Minister Nara Lokesh taking to X to declare, “Democracy has won,” emphasizing that voters exercised their franchise freely after decades.

Election Details and Voter Turnout

The by-election, necessitated by the untimely death of the previous ZPTC member, was conducted on August 12, 2025, using paper ballots. Pulivendula recorded a 76.44% voter turnout across 15 polling stations, with 7,565 of 10,601 registered voters casting their ballots. The counting took place on August 14 at Maulana Azad National Urdu University, under tight security overseen by Collector Sridhar Cherukuri and JC Aditi Singh. Despite the high turnout, the election was marred by allegations of irregularities, adding to its contentious nature.

Controversies and Allegations

The Pulivendula ZPTC by-election was not without drama. YSRCP leaders, including Kadapa MP Y.S. Avinash Reddy, alleged large-scale electoral malpractices by TDP, accusing them of voter intimidation, booth capturing, and casting fake votes with police complicity. Avinash Reddy, who was briefly detained and placed under house arrest before polling, demanded the election’s cancellation and a re-poll under central forces, labeling it “the worst in independent India.” Specific allegations included TDP workers blocking voters in villages like Kanampalli and Nallapureddypalli, removing YSRCP agents from polling stations, and bringing in outsiders to vote.

TDP, in response, dismissed these claims, with leaders like B.Tech Ravi and Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy asserting that the polls were peaceful. The Election Commission faced criticism from YSRCP for ignoring their complaints, prompting the party to announce plans for legal action. Despite these tensions, TDP’s strategic campaign, backed by a united coalition of TDP, BJP, and Janasena, proved effective, with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu personally overseeing efforts to secure the seat.

Political Significance

Pulivendula has long been a bastion of the YSR family, with Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and his late father, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, dominating its politics for over four decades. The TDP’s victory, led by Latha Reddy under the guidance of B.Tech Ravi, signals a potential shift in the region’s political landscape. This win comes after TDP’s earlier success in 2024, when B.Tech Ravi defeated YSRCP’s Vivekananda Reddy in a local body election, further highlighting TDP’s growing influence in Kadapa district. The loss is a significant setback for YSRCP, especially as Jagan’s majority in Pulivendula had already narrowed in the 2024 assembly elections.

Posts on X reflected the polarized sentiment, with YSRCP supporters alleging rigging and TDP backers celebrating the victory as a triumph of democracy. One post claimed, “YSRCP is finished, and TDP’s win in Pulivendula proves it,” while another criticized the police, stating, “The election was YSRCP vs. police, not TDP.” The intense campaigning, with Naidu urging coalition leaders to promote welfare schemes and development promises, underscored the election’s high stakes.

YSRCP’s Response and Future Implications

The YSRCP’s defeat has sparked internal reflection, with leaders like Avinash Reddy vowing to challenge the results legally. The party boycotted the re-polling in two booths (Achhuvelli and Kothapalle) ordered by the Election Commission due to initial irregularities, further highlighting their distrust in the process. The loss in Jagan’s stronghold could weaken YSRCP’s morale, especially after losing seven of ten assembly seats in Kadapa district in 2024. For TDP, this victory boosts their momentum, with Naidu promising enhanced development for Pulivendula, including better irrigation and welfare initiatives.

Conclusion

The Telugu Desam Party’s victory in the Pulivendula ZPTC by-election on August 14, 2025, marks a historic turning point in Andhra Pradesh politics. Latha Reddy’s landslide win over YSRCP’s Hemant Reddy, with a margin of over 5,000 votes, has shattered the myth of Pulivendula’s invincibility as a YSRCP stronghold. While TDP celebrates this triumph as a democratic milestone, YSRCP’s allegations of rigging and plans for legal recourse keep the controversy alive. As the political landscape evolves, this election will likely have lasting implications for both parties in Kadapa and beyond. Stay tuned to MasalaMirror.com for the latest updates on Andhra Pradesh’s dynamic political scene.