Princely States might have gone long ago, but those of royal lineage still occupy the centre stage of Vizianagaram politics, and interestingly, all are on the same side, thanks to the calculated moves made by Chief Minister and TDP national president N. Chandrababu Naidu.
The rivalry between the rulers of the Vizianagaram and Bobbili kingdoms is historic. The famous Bobbili battle that took place on January 24, 1757, only widened the gap between two families and it continued for many generations. For almost 260 years, the two families did not see eye to eye.
After Independence, princely States went out of existence. The hostile atmosphere among them continued for many decades, till the intervention of Mr. Naidu. Former Union Minister P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju contested successfully on TDP ticket for the Vizianagram Lok Sabha seat in the 2014 elections and his arch rival Sujay Krishna Ranga Rao of the Bobbili rajas’ family won from the Bobbili Assembly segment on YSR Congress Party ticket. However, the situation turned dramatically when Mr. Ranga Rao was invited to join the TDP. Mr. Ashok, who reportedly objected to his entry, relented under persuasion from Mr. Naidu.
Now, they have almost become friends and meet each other regularly in their respective forts to strengthen the TDP. Mr. Ashok, who is contesting again, is getting full support from Mr. Ranga Rao who is seeking re-election from Bobbili which is part of the Vizianagaram parliamentary constituency. Last time, Mr. Ashok faced difficulty in the Bobbili segment.
Another major twist is former Union Minister Kishore Chandra Deo crossing over to the TDP from the Congress. Mr. Deo and Mr. Ashok had serious political differences but now they work as a team as is evident from Mr. Deo’s recent visit to Mr. Ashok’s bungalow.
Although Mr. Deo belonged to a tribal family, he is considered as raja
of Kurupam. Another member of the erstwhile royal family — Satrucharla Vijaya Rama Raju — is also in the TDP. Mr. Satrucharla’s family member Narasimha Priya is contesting on TDP ticket from Kurupam. Mr. Deo’s family extended their support to Ms. Priya who is now confident of wresting the seat from the YSRCP.
Threat from YSRCP
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University assistant professor and political analyst Gunta Leela Vara Prasad says that the ‘political treaty’ among the four major families will work to the advantage of the TDP.
Another major reason for the families coming together is the threat posed to their supremacy from the YSRCP and other parties.