Andhra Pradesh
After the formation of Andhra Pradesh in 1953, the Indian National Congress ruled the state for 30 years, winning all elections in the period. This changed in the 1980's due to the establishment of a regional party named Telugu Desam Party (TDP) by Telugu matinee idol Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR). They won the 1983 Assembly election by a landslide, NTR becoming the first non-Congress Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. Since then, both the TDP and the Congress have dominated Andhra politics, with either party coming to power after a long interval of time. Currently, the Congress is in power in the state, with Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy as the Chief Minister.
The main issue which dominates Andhra politics is the Telangana movement. This movement, which has been going on for many years, aims at the formation of a separate Telangana state consisting of the northern districts of Andhra Pradesh. MLA's and MP's from this region cutting across party lines have supported the movement, but it is widely opposed by MLA's and MP's from the Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra regions, who favour an united Andhra Pradesh. Caste also figures prominently in Andhra politics. Politics in Andhra Pradesh is dominated by major castes like the Reddys, the Kammas and the Kapus. Factionism is another issue in Andhra politics, especially in the Rayalaseema region where it is a serious problem. Even today, many politicians or their families are associated with factionism, spending their valuable time and resources to retaliate with their opponents. There is also the problem of Naxalism in the state, especially in the Rayalaseema and Telangana regions.
Like Tamil Nadu, the film industry in the state has influenced Andhra politics. Besides NTR, film stars like Chiranjeevi, Vijayashanti and Mohan Babu among others have successfully made their mark in the politics of the state.
Andhra Pradesh state leaders have also contributed immensely at the national level, with former Chief Ministers Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy and P. V. Narasimha Rao becoming the President of India and Prime Minister of India respectively and NTR instrumental in the formation of the National Front which ruled India between 1989-91.
Read more about this topic: Politics In South India