TDP demands apology from Rosaiah

The Telugu Desam Party has demanded Finance Minister K. Rosaiah’s apology to people for his reported remarks on Saturday that election officials should work in favour of the government, thus “belittling” the Constitution.

At a press conference here on Sunday, TDP leaders Ummareddy Venkateswarulu and P.L. Srinivas said Mr. Rosaiah’s comments made when he met Chief Electoral Officer I.V. Subba Rao and Deputy CEO Harpreet Singh, were “undemocratic”. They showed the ‘intolerant’ attitude of the Congress.

The leaders sought to remind the Minister that poll officials come under the direct purview of the Election Commission, the day election schedule was announced and the model code of conduct came into force.

Demanding Mr. Rosaiah to withdraw the remarks, they said the party would take the issue to the Chief Election Commissioner’s notice.

On the Congress leaders’ query as to how the TDP would mobilise funds to fulfil its promises, they said the State’s income had increased to Rs.80,000 crore. This was expected to grow by 15 per cent annually.

In addition, the State would get its share from Central taxes. The TDP would meet the expenditure without selling government lands, they observed.

Replying to a question, they said the TDP, while implementing the promises, would continue reforms, if returned to power.

YSR makes light of TDP’s poll promises

Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy appealed to the people to cast their vote after comparing the five year rule of his government with the nine year rule of the Telugu Desam.

Addressing election meetings at Makthal, Wanaparthy and Kalwakurthy Assembly segments in the district on Saturday, the Chief Minister dismissed the poll promises being made by Telugu Desam chief Chandrababu Naidu saying that “all free” promises cannot be trusted. He reminded that Chandrababu Naidu failed to waive loans and electricity arrears during his rule when there was drought for years and farmers were in distress.

Referring to the statement of Mr. Naidu before 2004 elections that the electricity wires would be only useful for drying clothes if free power to agriculture sector is provided, he ridiculed Mr. Naidu’s promise to provide free power for 12 hours per day.

Hero worship no help

Hero worship for their leaders sometimes is not enough to get them party ticket. A case in point is former Congress MLA from Miryalaguda Repala Srinivas, a die hard supporter of Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy. He was even instrumental in bringing the huge drum for the launch of party’s election campaign by Dr. Reddy recently and speculation was rife that Mr. Srinivas would walk away with the Miryalaguda ticket which was not to be. Mr. Srinivas, who had sacrificed the same seat in 2004 for Left parties, missed the bus yet again.

Both the candidates are top performers in their own right. One has touched dizzy heights as an actor and the other is well known for his ‘presence’ in

Jayasudha, Talasani file nominations in contrasting styles

Both the candidates are top performers in their own right. One has touched dizzy heights as an actor and the other is well known for his ‘presence’ in Secunderabad Assembly constituency. On Saturday, both filed their nominations, albeit in contrasting styles. The former chose a simple approach while the latter decided to show strength and reach.

Sans the fanfare and pomp, actor Jayasudha filed her nominations from Secunderabad on Saturday while sitting MLA Talasani Srinivas Yadav led a huge procession that reached the office of the Returning Officer at Secunderabad GHMC office, after navigating through the streets of Secunderabad for over four hours.

Accompanied with a few local leaders, Jayasudha visited Marredpally Ganesh temple, a Dargah at Goods Shed and St. Mary’s Church later to seek blessings. A smattering of her admirers, mostly the staff of the church, temple and mosque, wished her good luck.

“We wanted to keep it simple. My style will be to take up door-to-door campaigning and reach out to everyone,” the actor said with self-assurance.

Quite contrastingly, the huge procession of Mr. Yadav was a traffic-stopper. Party workers from various divisions of Secunderabad stood with flags and garlands on makeshift platforms to welcome his procession. Women workers were attired in yellow and hurled flowers on the procession.

A confetti machine, blasting out yellow paper, led the procession followed by drummers and the ubiquitous sound system blaring out TDP songs.

Protests rock Palnadu

Two supporters of Janga try to ‘commit suicide’

Mallikarjuna Rao’s followers raise banner of revolt

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GUNTUR: Widespread protests across Palnadu region and victory rallies in Guntur capped a day of dramatic developments, hours after the list of Congress Assembly candidates was announced on Saturday. Local elected representatives of Gurazala, Macherla and Vindukonda threatened to resign en masse, protesting against the denial of seats to the sitting MLAs.

In view of the possibilities of escalating tension, Superintendent of Police Mahesh Chandra Laddha convened a meeting with senior police officers and asked them to be vigilant. Police battalions were deployed in full strength at main junctions in the towns and municipalities to prevent untoward incidents in the district.

In Guntur, a defiant Gurazala MLA Janga Krishna Murthy vowed to continue his fast in front of the District Congress Party office till the last day of filing of nominations. His close aides, including Piduguralla Market Yard chairman P. Viswanadham and veteran leader Challa Nemali Reddy, left for Hyderabad to hold talks with K.V.P Rama Chandra Rao, after the latter spoke to them over telephone.

Two supporters of Mr. Krishna Murthy climbed atop a light arch at the Hindu College Junction and allegedly threatened to commit suicide.

They relented after some time and were whisked away by the police.

Scores of his supporters from the Gurazala constituency began to pour into the Congress office since morning. The news of the final list beamed on TVs sent shock waves across the district among party cadre.

The MLA soon after realising his name was not in the final list, remained closeted with his aides for an hour.

He, however, remained evasive to queries about his possible quitting of the Congress or contesting as a rebel candidate.

In Vinukonda, followers of Makkena Mallikarjuna Rao raised the banner of revolt and threatened that they would not allow an outsider to file his nomination papers. Addressing a media conference, Mr. Mallikarjuna Rao said that he was disappointed over the rejection of his candidature.

In Macherla, supporters of sitting MLA Pinneli Laxma Reddy threatened to resign from their elected posts

Contrary to the dramatic developments in the Palnadu region, Guntur remained by and large peaceful as there were no protests from the followers of T. Venkata Rao and Sk. Nambur Subhani, the sitting MLAs of Guntur I and II. Supporters of Sk. Mastan Vali, the candidate from Guntur East, took out victory rallies and burst crackers.

Youth Congress chief quits

Peeved over denial of Assembly ticket in the general elections, Andhra Pradesh Youth Congress president T.J. Sudhakar Babu has tendered resignation to the party post.

Hours after the high command announced the list of candidates for Lok Sabha and Parliamentary constituencies, Mr. Sudhakar Babu, who failed to get the party ticket from Prathipadu (SC) constituency in Guntur district announced his decision to quit the party post. He lamented that the party had not honoured its promise to field more Youth Congress office-bearers.

He said a number of Andhra Pradesh Youth Congress office-bearers would resign protesting the injustice to them.

He is likely to meet Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy and apprise him of his decision to resign.

YSR to hit campaign trail on March 25

The Congress party will get into the poll campaign mode from March 25, as Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy hits the road by formally launching his ‘Jaithra Yatra’ from Chevella Assembly constituency.

A day after he raised the battle cry beating a huge drum to symbolically launch party’s campaign, his close aides have come out with a road map for next three weeks that will see Dr. Reddy criss-cross the State holding road shows and use helicopter sparingly.

Respecting sentiment of launching his campaign from Chevella since padayatra days, sharp at 11 a.m. on March 25, he will board his trademark bullet proof air-conditioned bus from Chevella constituency, represented by Mines and Geology Minister P. Sabitha Reddy. On the first day, he will travel 115 km addressing meetings in Vikarabad, Parigi, Kodangal, and Tandur constituencies before halting for the night at Zaheerabad.

The next day, he would cover Sangareddy, Andole, Narayankhed and Narsapur and return to the city in the night. On March 27, Dr. Reddy will tour Khairatabad, L.B.Nagar and Musheerabad Assembly constituencies. On March 28 and 29, he will cover Mahabubnagar and Warangal districts by helicopter.

Praja Rajyam a product of Opposition’s failure: YSR

Lack of credibility, poor show by TDP and other parties created new political space in State, says Chief Minister


Lack of credibility and poor show by the Opposition, especially the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) had created new political space and resulted in the emergence of Praja Rajyam, according to Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Redddy.

Harping on “effective governance that brought credibility to the government’s welfare schemes and development programmes over the last five years,” Dr. Reddy said at a press conference here on Saturday that little or no anti-establishment mood among the electorate was providing the necessary confidence to the Congress to face the elections.

“Division of anti-Congress vote and fulfilment of the promises made by us will be the key to our handsome victory in the elections,” Dr. Reddy remarked.

Singling out the TDP for its “political bankruptcy” on various issues, Dr. Reddy said it was a strange phenomenon that its president N. Chandrababu Naidu was making promises while his brother-in-law Nandamuri Balakrishna and nephew NTR Jr. were going around the State taking the responsibility to fulfil them. “This only shows how Mr. Naidu’s credibility has eroded in the last five years,” he noted.

Dissimilar ideologies

The Chief Minister ridiculed the Grand Alliance for dissimilar ideologies among its constituents. The TRS and the CPI (M) had diametrically opposite views on separate Telangana. “Can we expect such an alliance to function in unison and take on the Congress?” he asked.

The alliance could not even hold a joint public meeting in the city and yet had vowed to bring down the Congress, Dr. Reddy quipped.

On Telangana, he said the party in principle had no objection on creating a separate State, but some issues had to be resolved. He dismissed the talk that presence of film stars of other parties would impact Congress chances. “When film stars campaign, it is a free show,” he remarked.

Congress Assembly candidates

The following is the list of Congress candidates for the Assembly:

Sirpur– Koneru Konappa, Chennur (SC)– G .Vinod, Bellampally (SC)– Chillumula Shankar, Mancherial– N. Diwakar Rao, Asifabad (ST) – Athram Sakku, Khanapur (ST) Hari Ajmeeri Naik, Adilabad – C. Ramachandar Reddy, Boath (ST) – Anil Jadav, Nirmal – A. Indrakaran Reddy, Mudhole – Narayan Rao Patil, Armur – K.R.Suresh Reddy, Bodhan – P. Sudarshan Reddy, Jukkal (SC) – S. Savithri Gangaram, Banswada – Bajireddy Govardhan, Yellareddy – B. Janardhan Goud, Kamareddy– Mohd. Ali Shabbir, Nizamabad (Urban) – D. Srinivas, Nizamabad (Rural) – Akula Lalitha, Balkonda – Srinivas Reddy, Korutla – J. Rathnakar Rao, Jagtial – T. Jeevan Reddy, Dharmapuri (SC) – A. Laxman Kumar, Ramagundam – Baber Salim Pasha, Manthani – D. Sridhar Babu, Peddapalle – G. Mukunda Reddy, Karimnagar – Ch. Laxman Rao, Choppadandi (SC) – G. Babu Rao, Vemulawada – V. Adi Srinivas, Sircilla – Gudla Manjula, Manakondur (SC) – Arepalli Mohan, Huzurabad – Krishna Mohan, Husnabad –A. Praveen Reddy, Siddipet – Anjaiah, Medak – P. Shashidar Reddy, Narayankhed – P. Kista Reddy, Andole (SC) – C. Damodhar Rajanarsimha, Narsapur – Sunitha Laxma Reddy, Zahirabad (SC) – J. Geeta Reddy, Sangareddy – T. Jayaprakash Reddy, Patancheru – Nandishwar Goud, Gajwel – T. Narsa Reddy, Medchal – K. Laxma Reddy, Malkajgiri – Akula Rajender, Quthbullapur – K.M. Pratap, Kukatpally – V. Narsing Rao, Uppal – Raji Reddy, Ibrahimpatnam – M. Ranga Reddy, Lal Bahadur Nagar – D. Sudhir Reddy, Maheshwaram – Sabitha Indra Reddy.

Rajendranagar – Ghaneshwar Mudiraj, Serilingampally – Bhikshapathi Yadav, Chevella (SC) Kale Yadaiah, Pargi – K. Ram Reddy, Vicarabad (SC) G. Prasad Kumar, Tandur – M. Ramesh, Musheerabad – T. Manemma, Malakpet – V.N.Reddy, Amberpet – Fareeduddin, Khairatabad – Danam Nagender, Jubilee Hills – P. Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, Sanath Nagar – M. Shashidhar Reddy, Nampalli – E. Vinod Kumar, Karwan – Roop Singh, Goshamahal – Mukesh Goud, Charminar – Gajula Anjiah, Chandrayangutta – Venkatesh Mudiraj, Yakutpura – G. Rajaratnam, Bahdurpura – Raza Hussain Azad, Secunderabad – Jayasudha, Secunderabad Cantt. (SC) – Dr. P. Shankar Rao, Kodangal – Gurunath Reddy, Narayanpet – Sugurappa, Mahbubnagar – Puli Veeranna, Jadcherla – Dr. Ravi Mallu, Devarkadra – Swarna Sudhakar, Makthal – C. Rammohan Reddy, Wanaparthy – G. Chinna Reddy, Gadwal – D. K. Aruna, Alampur (SC) – Sampath Kumar, Nagarkurnool – Dr. Damodar Reddy, Achampet (SC) – Vamshi Krishna, Kalwakurthy – Y. Kista Reddy, Shadnagar – Pradeep Reddy, Kollapur – J. Krishna Rao, Devarakonda (ST) – Balu Naik, Nagarjuna Sagar – K. Jana Reddy, Huzurnagar – Uttam Kumar Reddy, Kodad – Mohammad Jani, Suryapet – Damodar Reddy, Nalgonda – Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, Munugode – Govardhan Reddy, Bhongir – Venkateshwar Reddy, Nakrekal (SC) – Tirumathi Lingaiah, Thungathurthy (SC) – Gudipti Narsaiah, Alair – Bikshapathi Goud, Jangoan – Ponnala Lakshmiah, Ghanpur (Station) SC) – Dr. T. Rajaiah, Palakurthi – Duggyala Srinivas Rao, Dornakal (ST)– D.S.Redya Naik, Mahabubabad (ST) – Malloth Kavitha, Narsampet – Madhav Reddy, Parkal – Konda Surekha, Warangal West – Daya Sagar, Warangal East – Baswaraj Saraiah, Wardhanapet (SC) – K. Sridhar, Bhupalapalle – G. Ramana Reddy, Mulug (ST) P. Veeraiah, Pinapaka (ST) – Kanta Rao, Yellandu (ST) Koram Kanakiah, Palair – Venkata Reddy, Madira (SC) – Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Wyra (ST) – Dr. Bukya Ramchandraiah.

Sathupalli (SC) – Sambani Chandrashekar, Kothagudem – Vanama Venkateshwar Rao, Aswaraopeta (ST) – Mitra Sen, Bhadrachalam (ST) – Kunju Satyavathi, Ichchapuram – Narhu Ramarao, Palasa – Jetti Jagan Nayakulu, Tekkali – Revathi Pathi, Pathapatnam – Vijaya Rama Raju, Srikakulam – Dharmana Prasada Rao, Amadalavalasa – Boddepalli Satyavati, Etcherla – Neelakantam, Narsannapeta – Dharmana Krishna Das, Rajam (SC) – Kondru Murali Mohan, Palakonda (ST) – Nimmakku Sugrivulu, Kurupam (ST) – Janardhan Tanti Raju, Parvathipuram (SC) – Savarapu Jayamani, Salur (ST) – P. Rajanna Dora, Bobbili – R.V.S.K. Ranga Rao, Cheepurupalle – Botcha Satyanarayana, Gajapathinagaram – Botcha Appala Narsaiah, Nellimerla – Dr. P.V. Suryanarayana Raju, Vizianagaram – K. Veerabhadra Swamy, Srungavarapukota – Raghu Raj, Bhimli – Uma Rani, Visakhapatnam East – V. Appa Rao, Visakhapatnam South – Dronamraju Srinivas, Visakhapatnam North – T. Vijaya Kumar, Visakhapatnam West – M. Vijaya Prasad, Gajuwaka – Gurumurthy Reddy, Chodavaram – Karanam Dharmasri, Madugula – A.V. Ramamurthy Naidu, Araku Valley (ST) – Kantamma, Paderu (ST) – P. Balaraju, Anakapalle – Konathala Ramakrishna, Pendurthi – T. Vijaya Laxmi, Elamanchili – U. Venkata Ramana Raju, Payakaraopet (SC) – G. Babu Rao, Narsipatnam – Muthyala Papa, Tuni – Raja Ashok Babu, Prathipadu – V. Subba Rao, Pithapuram – M. Padmanabham, Kakinada Rural – Dommithi Venkateswarlu, Peddapuram – T. Gopalakrishna, Anaparthy – Sesha Reddy, Kakinada city – Chandrasekhar Reddy, Ramachandrapuram – P. Subhashchan- dra Bose, Mummidivaram – P. Satish Kumar, Amalapuram (SC) – P. Viswaroop, Razole (SC) – Rapaka Vara Prasad, Gannavaram (SC) – Pamala Rajeswari Devi, Kothapeta – Ch. Jaggi Reddy, Mandapeta – B. Krishnarjuna Chowdary. Rajanagaram – Chitturi Ravindra, Rajahmundry City – R. Suryaprakash Rao, Jaggampeta – Thota Narasimham, Rampachodavaram (ST) – K.K.V.V.V. Satyanarayana Reddy, Kovvur (SC) – Mohsen Raja, Nidadavole – G. Srinivasu Naidu, Achanta – Pathani Satyanarayana, Palacole – Bangaru Usha Rani, Narasapuram – M. Prasada Raju, Bhimavaram – P. Ramanjaneyulu, Undi – P. Sarraju, Tanku – K. Nageswara Rao, Tadepalligudem – K. Satyanarayana, Unguturu – V. Vasantha Kumar, Denduluru – Kottari Ramachandra Rao, Eluru – A.K. Srinivas, Gopalapuram (SC) – Usha Madiga, Polavaram (ST) – T. Balaraju, Chintalapudi (SC) – M. Rajesh Kumar, Tiruvuru (SC) – Dirisam Padmajothi, Nuzvid – M. Venkata Pratap Appa Rao, Gannavaram – M. Venkateswara Rao,Gudivada – P. Venkateswara Rao, Kaikalur – Y. Raja Ramchander, Pedana – Jogi Ramesh Goud, Machilipatnam – Perni Venkataramiah, Avanigadda– Mandali Buddha Prasad, Pamarru (SC)– D. Y. Das, Penamaluru– K. P. Sarathy, Vijayawada West– Mallika Begum, Vijayawada Central – Malladi Vishnu, Vijayawada East– Devineni Rajasekhar Nehru, Mylavaram– Appasami Sandeep Nannu, Nandigama (SC)– V. Parameshwar Rao, Jaggayapeta– S. Udayabhanu, Pedakurapadu– Patan Noorjahan, Tadikonda (SC)– D. Manikya Vara Prasada Rao, Mangalagiri– Kandru Kamala, Ponnur– Leeladhar, Vemuru (SC)– M. Nagarjuna, Repalle– M. Venkatramana Rao, Tenali– Nadendla Manohar, Bapatla– Gade Venkat Reddy, Parthipadu (SC)– Sucharita, Guntur West – Kanna Lakshminarayana, Guntur East–MastanVali, Chilakaluripet– M. Rajashekhar, Narasaraopet– K. Venkata Krishna Reddy, Sattenapalli– Y. Venkateswara Reddy, Vinukonda– Chebrolu Narandranath, Guruzala– Dr. Alla Venkateswarlu, Macherla– P. Ramakrishna Reddy, Yerragondapalem (SC)– A. Suresh Kumar, Darsi– Dr. B. Siva Prasad Reddy, Parchur– Dr. Daggubati Venkateswara Rao, Addanki– G. Ravi Kumar, Chirala– Krishna Mohan, Santhanuthalapadu (SC)– Danam Vijay Kumar, Ongole– B. Srinivasa Reddy, Kandukur– M. Maheedar Reddy, Kondepi (SC)– G. V. Seshu, Markapuram– K. Pedda Konda Reddy, Giddalur – B. Chandrashekar Yadav, Kanigiri – Ugra Narsimha Reddy, Kavali – Vishnuvardhan Reddy. Atmakur – Anam Rama Narayana Reddy, Kovur – P. Srinivasulu Reddy, Nellore City – B. Anil Kumar Yadav, Nellore Rural – A. Vivekananda Reddy, Sarvepalli – Adala Prabhakar Reddy, Gudur (SC) – Panabaka Krishnaiah, Sullurpeta (SC) – Vinnamala Saraswati, Venkatagiri – N. Rajya Lakshmi, Udayagiri – M. Chandra Sekhar Reddy, Badvel (SC) – Kamalamma, Rajampet – Amarnath Reddy, Kadapa – Mohd. Ahamadullah, Kodur (SC) – K. Srinivasulu, Rayachoti – Srikanth Reddy, Pulivendula – Dr. Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy, Kamalapuram – G. Veerashiva Reddy, Jammalamadugu – C. Adinarayana Reddy, Proddatur – N. Varadarajula Reddy, Mydukur – D.L. Ravindra Reddy, Allagadda – G. Pratap Reddy, Srisailam – E. Pratap Reddy, Nandikotkur (SC) – L. Venkatswamy, Kurnool – T.G. Venkatesh, Panyam – K. Rambhupal Reddy, Nandyal – C. Shilpa Mohan Reddy, Banaganapalle – Challa Rama Krishna Reddy, Dhone – Kotla Sujathamma, Pattikonda – S.V.Mohan Reddy, Kodumur (SC) – P. Murali Krishna, Yemmiganur – K. Channakeshava Reddy, Mantralayam – Madhusudhan, Adoni – Y. Sai Prasad Reddy, Alur – Neeraja Reddy, Rayadurg – R. Ramachandra Reddy, Uravakonda – Visveshwar Reddy, Guntakal – Madhusudan Gupta, Tadipatri – J.C.Diwakar Reddy, Singanamala (SC)– Sailajanath, Anantapur Urban – Gurunath Reddy, Kalyandurg – N. Raghuveera Reddy, Raptadu – T. Prakash Reddy, Madakasira (SC) K. Sudhakar, Hindupur – Lakshmi Narayana, Penukonda – K.T.Sridhar, Puttaparthi – K. Mohan Reddy, Dharmavaram – K. Venkatrama Reddy, Kadiri – J. Ramaiah, Thamballapalle – G. Shankar Yadav , Pileru – N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, Madanapalle – Shahjahan Basha, Punganur – P. Ramachandra Reddy, Chandragiri – Galla Aruna Kumari, Tirupati – Karunakar Reddy, Srikalahasti – S.C.V. Naidu, Satyaveedu (SC) – K. Narayana Swamy, Nagari – R. Chenga Reddy, Gangadhara Nellore (SC) – T. Doraiswamy, Chittoor – C.K. Babu, Puthalapattu (SC) – Dr. P. Ravi, Palamaner – D. Reddappa Reddy, Kuppam – M. Subramanyam Reddy.

This is the best list: D. Srinivas

Pradesh Congress Committee president D. Srinivas has said his party struck a perfect balance in the party list of candidates to contest the Lok Sabha and the Assembly elections by giving priority to all sections of the society. “This is the best list and prepared by observing the social justice. Backward Classes were given more than 70 seats,” said Mr. Srinivas here after the release of the list of candidates, on Saturday evening. He said 11 to 12 seats were given to minorities, four each were allotted to Madigas and Malas in the Parliament and almost an equal number of seats to both sections in the Assembly. Women were given a top priority, he added.

As there were many sitting members, the party could not accommodate several aspirants.

Chiranjeevi alleges Naidu-YSR ‘match-fixing’

Alleging ‘match-fixing’ between Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and Opposition Leader N. Chandrababu Naidu, Praja Rajyam president K. Chiranjeevi on Saturday said they were only hoodwinking people to keep power between themselves.

Addressing a mammoth ‘Praja Vijaya Bheri’ rally at the Parade Grounds here, he said the two leaders who were criticising each other all day, became good friends by night. “And the only thing they have in common was ‘corruption’, although of different magnitudes. After all, they are from the same school [Congress],” he said.

YSR tops list of poll code violators: Naidu

YSR has 19 cases slapped against him

TDP chief hails EC action against DGP

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HYDERABAD: Telugu Desam Party president N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday described Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Redy as “violator number one”, as far as model code of conduct was concerned with 19 cases slapped against him so far.

Addressing a press conference, Mr. Naidu released a list of these cases from October 1986 when a case was booked against him and his supporters for assaulting deputy director of agriculture to submission of false declaration of assets in 2004 Assembly elections.

In between, there were cases that included setting on fire of ballot boxes in 1989 Lok Sabha elections, rigging on May 3, 1995, at Vempally in Kadapa, carrying campaign beyond specified time in 1996 Lok Sabha elections, attack on Valluru police station in 1997 and violation of code in 1998 Lok sabha elections.

Money, muscle power

“This time too there is danger of the Chief Minister using money and muscle power to influence voters and that is why we want Election Commission to take all necessary steps to conduct the elections in a free and fair manner.”

On Congress MLA Daggubati Venkateswara Rao’s letter to Balakrishna, Mr. Naidu said everyone in the State knew that the Chief Minister was behind it.

“Beyond that I will not comment. We will not stoop down to the level where you focus only on personal issues. We will only talk about issues and leave the rest to people.” Asked about Mr. Balakrishna’s moustache twirling and thigh-slapping action in front of Mr. Venkateswara Rao’s house, he said one should not forget that he was a film artiste.

When the Chief Minister himself could do so many actions in public meetings, why can’t a film star, he asked. Hailing EC’s action against the Director-General of Police, he said it was slap on the face of the government. It would send a warning to officials who behave in a partisan manner.

Congress campaign lags behind

HYDERABAD: Bogged down by selection of party nominees for the general elections for more than a fortnight, Congress leaders are clearly lagging behind in terms of launching its campaign.

The lengthy deliberations and frequent consultations with central leadership over seat selection have taken a heavy toll on the party’s campaign as 15 days have been lost. With leaders and actors of Telugu Desam Party and the Praja Rajyam hitting the campaign trail in full earnest, the Congress party’s poll campaign is invisible.

The maiden election campaign by actor Junior NTR and road shows by his uncle Nandamuri Balakrishna have breathed new found enthusiasm among the TDP cadres. The PR workers are enthused by the electioneering by its chief K. Chiranjeevi, now in Krishna district.

Strangely, the Congress party is yet to get its act together. It is understood that the issue cropped up during Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s interaction with his close aides. Dr. Reddy, who is the party’s star campaigner, notwithstanding the presence of actors from the Telugu film world, is set to launch the campaign from Friday by holding a full-fledged press conference, the first one after returning to Hyderabad.

Party sources said Dr. Reddy is scheduled to embark on his road shows from either March 24 or 25 from Chevella. During his whirlwind tour, Dr. Reddy is slated to address roadside meetings. Plans have been chalked out to cover at least 160 Assembly constituencies. He is scheduled to take a break for two days, when he files his nomination from Pulivendula Assembly constituency. In all likelihood, his campaign will conclude in Nandikotkur. Interestingly, he had launched the 2004 campaign from Chevella where Mines and Geology Minister Sabitha Indra Reddy was the nominee and ended it at Nandikotkur, where another woman candidate Gouru Charita Reddy was fielded.

Sources pointed out that Dr. Reddy’s campaign would be aggressive in Telangana region, where he is expected to reiterate the party’s stand on the statehood. With development and welfare as its poll plank, the Chief Minister is gearing up to explain to the electorate what promises he had made in 2004 and what all have been fulfilled by his government.

To invite Sonia

The party is also planning to invite AICC president Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi to campaign for at least a day. A senior APCC functionary said that party chief D. Srinivas will tour Telangana districts.

Congress, TDP indulge in ‘tit for tat’

Political parties are indulging in ‘tit for tat’ to counter each other.

With NTR Junior becoming a star campaigner for Telugu Desam Party in Srikakulam, the Congress hit upon a novel idea. It brought NTR-Telugu Desam president N. Lakshmi Parvati to Srikakulam and asked her to address meetings along with Revenue Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao in criticising Mr. Chandrababu Naidu for ‘ditching’ her husband and Telugu Desam Party found N.T. Rama Rao.

Congress won only four times in 52 years

Congress candidates had won only four times since Cheepurupalli Assembly constituency was formed in 1952.

However, the party opened its account in the double member constituency (in the past, two candidates used to represent a single constituency) in 1952 when P. Gunnayya (Congress) and T.C.A. Naidu (Independent) were elected to the Assembly.

Later, G. Pydapu Naidu in 1972 and Chigilapalli Syamala Rao in 1978 had won the seat.

After a gap of 20 years since the entry of Telugu Desam in 1983, the Congress candidate Botcha Satyanarayana won the seat in 2004. In 1955(double member constituency), K. Punnaiah of KLP and M.S. Raju of Praja Socialist Party; Kotla Sanyasappala Naidu of Swathantra party in 1962 and Thaddi Rama Rao (Independent) in 1967 had won the seat.

The TDP candidates emerged victorious for five times from this constituency. It also has the distinction of sending two women of TDP – Tripurana Venkataratnam and Tankala Saraswathamma – to the Assembly in 1983 and 1989.

Fear of rebels haunts Congress

The ruling Congress party could have well announced its candidates contesting the general elections since most of the names have been more or less finalised. But, fear of dissensions and rebels entering the fray is preventing the party from not making the names public.

There is no ambiguity at least in the following constituencies – Former Minister M. Sashidhar Reddy from Sanatnagar Assembly constituency and B.C. Welfare Minister M. Mukesh from the newly carved Goshamahal constituency. The incumbent Minister could be in for some tense moments as the unofficial ally – Majlis, too are likely to field a candidate from the constituency.

P. Vishnuvardhan Reddy, son of former CLP leader P. Janardhan Reddy, is going to shift base to another new Assembly constituency – Jubilee Hills. However, his efforts to get another party ticket to his sister, Vijaya Reddy, to contest from Khairatabad, might not fructify as there are strong indications that city Congress chief D. Nagender is likely to contest from here.

Former Pradesh Congress President K. Keshav Rao’s second son, K. Viplava Kumar, is to contest from another new Assembly segment of Serilingampally. An ex-Chairman of the AP Police Housing Corporation V. Narsing Rao is likely to contest from Kukatpally constituency. After much speculation, it is becoming clear that Siddipet MP Sarvey Satyanarayana would be contesting from Secunderabad Cantonment. The Congress party is studying the option of fielding two erstwhile heroines. If party gives the go ahead, Jayasudha could enter the fray from Secunderabad while Jeevitha, wife of actor Rajasekhar, may find herself testing her luck from either Musheerabad or Uppal. Son of former Chief Minister T.Anjaiah, T. Srinivas Reddy, is also aspiring for the seat, which is presently represented by his mother T. Manemma.

The war of nerves between MLA M. Ranga Reddy and ex-HUDA Chairman D. Sudhir Reddy continues. Both are keen on L.B. Nagar segment but as things stand now, Mr. Sudhir Reddy could be getting the ticket from here forcing Mr. Ranga Reddy to shift to Ibrahimpatnam. G. Srinivas Reddy is being mentioned for Malakpet segment while Adam Vijay Kumar’s name figures prominently from the new Malkajgiri segment.

Rangareddy district chief K.M. Pratap could be in the fray from Qutbullapur and another party leader Abid Rasool Khan is aspiring for the Amberpet constituency. The names of R. Laxma Reddy and Shyam Prasad Reddy also figure from Uppal.

Interestingly, other than the name of one, M.S. Prabhakar Rao from Nampally segment, there is not much information about aspirants from the Old City. The party’s “unofficial” understanding with MIM could see token contest by the Congress, sources maintained.

Congress ads: CEO urged to stop telecast

Charging the Congress with depicting official programmes as party schemes in eight advertisements telecast by Telugu TV channels, Telugu Desam on Sunday urged election authorities to stop them and prevent Congress from misusing official machinery in political advertisements.

In a petition to the Chief Electoral Officer, TDP’s general secretary M.A. Shariff, said there were several objectionable contents and pictures in the advertisements as they were contrary to the provisions of ‘Programme Code’ and Advertisement Code prescribed in the Cable Television Networks ( Regulation ) Act and Rules and the Model Code of Conduct.

He wanted reconsideration of the permission granted for telecast of the advertisements by the committee constituted for certification.

Mr. Shariff also urged him to take appropriate action against Congress leaders for misusing Government Guest Houses.