Kapu leader Mudragada Padmanabham has officially changed his name to Padmanabha Reddy, fulfilling a challenge he made during the elections. Mudragada had promised to change his name if Pawan Kalyan won from Pithapuram.
On the day of the election results, Mudragada held a press conference where he apologized and confirmed that he was taking steps to legally change his name. Recently, the Andhra Pradesh Government Gazette has officially recognized his new name as Padmanabha Reddy.
Before the elections, Mudragada joined the YSR Congress Party (YCP), although he had previously shown interest in joining the Jana Sena Party. Despite discussions, Pawan Kalyan did not visit Mudragada during the campaign in Pithapuram. Mudragada campaigned vigorously against Pawan, criticizing him and questioning his ties to the area.
After the election results, Mudragada faced severe trolling, but he kept his promise and officially changed his name.