The Deccan Powerplay: Reddy, Naidu and the Realpolitik of Andhra Pradesh - Amar Devulapalli

The Deccan Powerplay is an enthralling, narrative-driven exploration of regional power, strategic rivalries, and the intense political landscape of southern India. Written by veteran political journalist and trade union leader Amar Devulapalli, this book unpacks four decades of political maneuvering with the pacing and intensity of a blockbuster film.

The modern political theater of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is a complex battlefield where power is rarely inherited—it is fiercely fought for, plotted, and won. The Deccan Powerplay delivers a critical appraisal of the key personalities and watershed events that have transformed Telugu regional politics over the past 40 years, from the twilight of Indira Gandhi’s Congress dominance to the historic state bifurcation in 2014

The narrative maps out three distinct political philosophies through the operations of formidable titans: the legendary N.T. Rama Rao (NTR), the calculating strategist N. Chandrababu Naidu, the magnetic Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR), and the modern trailblazers Jagan Mohan Reddy and K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR). At the very heart of this political history sits a detailed chronicle of the stunning 'Viceroy Coup'—the ultimate betrayal that toppled NTR and permanently altered the region's trajectory. Drawing from archival depth, exclusive insights, and decades of firsthand journalistic observation, Devulapalli provides a masterclass on how faith, public sentiment, and governance collide in India’s southern power centers.