YSRCP leader raises resource and irrigation complaints in Venkatachalam
Kakani Govardhan Reddy, former Minister and YSR Congress Party district president, on Sunday accused the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) of permitting widespread corruption in Nellore’s Sarvepalli constituency and failing to deliver on pre-election promises. He was addressing residents during a visit to villages in Venkatachalam mandal on August 16, 2026, and received feedback on local grievances, according to the party statement reported.
During interactions with villagers, Mr. Kakani said locals had complained about the alleged plundering of natural resources — specifically sand, gravel and quartz — from areas near their homes. He also asserted that irrigation water supply had not reached tail-end regions of the constituency, and accused ruling party leaders of being preoccupied with corrupt activities.
“I challenge you to swear at Kanipakam Varasiddhi Vinayaka temple if you are not corrupt,”
The remark, made as a direct challenge to the sitting MLA Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy, invoked an ancient practice of swearing at the Kanipakam Varasiddhi Vinayaka temple near Chittoor to establish one’s honesty. The challenge was issued while Mr. Kakani raised a range of complaints he said he had highlighted earlier.
Allegations and governance concerns
In his address, Mr. Kakani levelled three principal charges that he said demonstrated failures by the ruling parties and local administration:
- Illegal extraction: Villagers reported removal of sand, gravel and quartz from local lands, which Mr. Kakani characterised as plundering of resources.
- Irrigation shortfall: Tail-end regions of the constituency, he said, remained without promised irrigation water.
- Administrative control: He accused Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders of keeping district officials under a tight leash, restricting their independent functioning.
The YSRCP leader warned the sitting MLA to be prepared for a public debate on issues Mr. Kakani says he has raised in the past. The report did not include a response from the MLA or the TDP; neither did it quote any district official on the allegations.
Local impact and political context
The allegations touch on matters that have direct implications for rural livelihoods in Nellore district. Unregulated extraction of riverine and land-based minerals such as sand and gravel can affect groundwater recharge, soil quality and agricultural land, while inadequate irrigation supply can reduce crop yields and income for farmers, particularly in tail-end reaches of canal systems.
Mr. Kakani’s public challenge is notable for its use of local cultural practice — the Kanipakam oath — as a political test of probity. The exchange underlines continuing friction between YSRCP and rival parties in the district ahead of future electoral cycles, and it places resource management and irrigation delivery at the centre of local political debate.
What remains unverified
The report cited the YSRCP district president’s statements and accounts provided by villagers during the visit. There was no independent verification in the coverage of the scale of extraction, the identity of those allegedly involved, any official records of complaints, or immediate comment from the sitting MLA Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy, TDP leaders or district administration.
| Issue raised | Claim |
|---|---|
| Resource extraction | Sand, gravel and quartz being plundered from local lands |
| Irrigation | Tail-end regions not receiving promised water |
| Administration | TDP leaders allegedly restraining district officials |
Further clarification from the district administration and the office of the sitting MLA would be required to corroborate the allegations. The statements by Mr. Kakani, as reported, set the stage for a possible public confrontation over governance and resource issues in Nellore’s Sarvepalli constituency.
