Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Kesineni Sivanath (TDP) defeats Kesineni Srinivas (YSRCP) in Vijayawada

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Kesineni Sivanath (Chinni) of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) won in the Andhra Pradesh's Vijayawada constituency with a margin of 2,82,085 votes defeating Kesineni Srinivas (Nani) of the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP). 

The Vijayawada Lok Sabha constituency is one of the 25 parliamentary constituencies in Andhra Pradesh, encompassing eight legislative assembly segments within the NTR district. These segments are Tiruvuru (Scheduled Caste), Vijayawada West, Vijayawada Central, Vijayawada East, Mylavaram, Nandigama (Scheduled Caste), and Jaggayapeta. Located along the banks of the Krishna River in Krishna district, Vijayawada is also known as a major tourist destination.

What are the issues?

·  Infrastructure Development

• Urbanization: Rapid urbanization has led to the need for better infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and public transport.
• Traffic Congestion: With increasing population and vehicles, traffic management and congestion remain significant challenges.

·  Water Supply and Management

• Water Scarcity: Ensuring a consistent and clean water supply, particularly during the summer months, is a pressing issue.
• River Pollution: Pollution of the Krishna River due to industrial and domestic waste disposal affects both the environment and water quality.

·  Health and Sanitation

• Healthcare Facilities: The need for improved healthcare infrastructure, including hospitals and clinics, is crucial for the growing population.
• Sanitation: Addressing issues related to waste management and sanitation to prevent diseases and ensure a clean environment.

·  Education

• Quality of Education: Enhancing the quality of education in public schools and colleges to ensure better educational outcomes.
• Higher Education: Providing more opportunities for higher education and skill development to meet the needs of the job market.

·  Economic Development

• Employment Opportunities: Creating job opportunities, especially for the youth, through industrial development and investment.
• Support for Small Businesses: Providing support and resources for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to thrive.

·  Agricultural Concerns

• Farmers' Welfare: Addressing the issues faced by farmers, including fair prices for crops, subsidies, and access to modern farming techniques.
• Irrigation Facilities: Improving irrigation facilities to ensure adequate water supply for agriculture.

·  Environmental Conservation

• Green Spaces: Preserving and expanding green spaces and parks within the city.
• Pollution Control: Implementing measures to control air and water pollution.

Caste Equation

The Vijayawada Lok Sabha constituency features a diverse population with varied caste and religious backgrounds. The caste-wise population percentage division in this constituency is as follows: Buddhists constitute 0.02% of the population, Christians make up 3.22%, and Jains represent 0.14%. The Muslim community comprises 6.81% of the population. Scheduled Castes (SC) have a significant presence, accounting for 19.3%, while Scheduled Tribes (ST) make up 2.91% of the population.

Who won in 2019?

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Kesineni Srinivas of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) won with 575,498 votes, defeating Prasad V Potluri from the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP), who garnered 566,772 votes.