Despite heavy competition, Opposition Leader and TDP Supremo, Chandrababu Naidu has chosen Payyavula Keshav, TDP MLA from Uravakonda in Anantapur district, a legislator for the fourth time as the new Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman in Andhra Pradesh. This post is conventionally offered to the principal opposition party in the state.
Historically, the same convention is followed in the Parliament as well. Chandrababu is learned to have sent a letter to the Speaker of Andhra Pradesh legislative assembly, Tammineni Sitaram, to this effect. PAC Chairman is a Cabinet Rank Post and commands Protocol as well. So, Payyavula will be a delighted man. This is a wise move from Chandrababu given that Keshav is a good speaker and with this post, he will work harder for the party in the Opposition.
Payyavula Keshav defeated YSRCP candidate and sitting MLA Y. Visweswara Reddy by a margin of 2,132 votes. He is the only MLA to win on TDP ticket in Rayalaseema after Chandrababu Naidu and Nandamuri balakrishna. There is a belief that whichever party wins the seat does not form the government, and the result only lends credit to it.
