Annamayya district officially started functioning with Madanapalle as its headquarters from Thursday, heralding a major administrative change that also left its former headquarters, Rayachoti, suffering from a sense of loss and uncertainty.
The reorganization led to a major redrawing of assembly constituency boundaries, prompting numerous reactions from a cross-section of public, political and official circles.
Spread over 7,951 sq km, the current Annamayya district caters to a population of approximately 16.9 million, with its concentrated rural profile and agriculture as the main economic backbone.
As per the present arrangement, the district has three revenue divisions – Madanapalle, Rayachoti and Piler – with 25 mandals. The realignment resulted in Rajampeta Assembly constituency being shifted back to Kadapa district and Kodur Railway to Tirupati district. As a compensatory move, Punganur assembly constituency in Chittoor district was transferred to Annamayya district.
The move drew applause from government officials who termed it the actual elevation of Madanapalle, thereby hindering the readiness and availability of infrastructure.
“Madanapalle offers better road connectivity, institutional capacity and logistical support for district-level administration. This will translate into faster service delivery,” said a senior revenue official.
But in Rayachoti, the mood is different. Residents of the city, which experienced a real estate boom in 2019-2025, now fear economic and administrative marginalization.
“Losing the status of headquarters is secondary, but what about our livelihood, investment and identity? There has already been a lot of investment in public infrastructure, including government offices and educational institutions,” said the head of a local business association.
Similarly, attorneys, carriers and small businesses worry about the dwindling numbers.
The realignment of constituencies further intensified the political debate. While officials say the inclusion of Punganur restores the geographical balance, political circles note that leaving Rajampeta, a politically significant segment, weakens Annamayya’s influence.
Meanwhile, with the long-pending demand of Madanapalle people for the district being addressed, senior NDA party leaders and activists are in a jubilant mood to coincide with the New Year celebrations.
At the same time, the sudden development of secession of Rayachoti from its district headquarters came as a major shock to Transport Minister and Rayachoti MLA M. Ramprasad Reddy. His followers are of the lamentable view that the party leadership did not consider their leader’s open attacks and fighting spirit against YSRCP leaders, especially former minister Peddireddi Ramachandra Reddy.
Published – 1 Jan 2026 19:37 IST
