Palasa is an assembly constituency in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the seven assembly segments of Srikakulam (Lok Sabha constituency), along with Ichchapuram, Tekkali, Pathapatnam, Srikakulam, Amadalavalasa and Narasannapeta. As of 25 March 2019, there are a total of 204,109 electors in the constituency.
Palasa has a rich history and culture, as it is home to several temples, such as Janardhana Swamy and Sri Kotilingeswara Swamy, and a famous cashew industry. Palasa is also known for its political activism and movements, such as the Palasa Massacre of 1974, when 11 people were killed by the police during a protest against feudal oppression.
In the 2019 state assembly election, Seediri Appalaraju was elected as an MLA of the constituency, representing the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP). He defeated Gouthu Syam Sunder Sivaji of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) by a margin of 21,897 votes. Appalaraju is a doctor by profession and has been active in social service and politics since his college days.
The Palasa assembly constituency falls under the Srikakulam Lok Sabha constituency, which was won by Rammohannaidu Kinjarapu of the TDP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He defeated Srinivas Duvvada of the YSRCP by a margin of 6,653 votes. Kinjarapu is a young leader and a member of the parliamentary standing committee on external affairs.
The next state assembly election in Andhra Pradesh is scheduled to be held in 2024. The main contenders for the Palasa seat are likely to be the YSRCP and the TDP, as they have been dominating the political scene in the state for the past few years. The YSRCP has been enjoying a strong support base among the rural and backward sections of the society, while the TDP has been trying to woo the urban and middle-class voters with its development agenda.
Probable Candidates for Palasa Seat in 2024:
- Seediri Appalaraju: The incumbent MLA and YSRCP leader, who has been working on various welfare schemes and development projects in his constituency. He may seek re-election from Palasa if he maintains his popularity and performance.
- Gouthu Syam Sunder Sivaji: The former MLA and TDP leader, who lost to Appalaraju in 2019 by a narrow margin. He may try to regain his seat by highlighting his experience and achievements as an MLA and a minister in the previous government.
Influencers for Palasa Seat in 2024:
- Botsa Satyanarayana: The current minister for municipal administration and urban development in the YSRCP government. He is a senior leader and a former MP from Vizianagaram district. He may play an influential role in Palasa as he belongs to the same community as Appalaraju and Sivaji.
- Tammineni Sitaram: The current speaker of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly and a senior leader of YSRCP. He is also from Srikakulam district and has been a close associate of Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. He may have a say in deciding the party candidate for Palasa.
- Rammohannaidu Kinjarapu: The current MP from Srikakulam Lok Sabha constituency and a young leader of TDP. He is also from Palasa assembly segment and has been vocal on various issues affecting his region. He may influence the voters’ choice for Palasa as he represents them at the national level.
The Palasa assembly constituency is expected to witness a tough contest between the YSRCP and the TDP in 2024, as both parties have strong leaders and loyal supporters in the region. The outcome may depend on factors such as caste equations, local issues, development works, welfare schemes, anti-incumbency factor, campaign strategies and voter turnout. The voters of Palasa will have to choose between two different visions for their future: one that promises stability and continuity under Jagan’s rule, or one that offers change and progress under Naidu’s leadership.
