HC order to hit party leaders

By Our Special

Correspondent

Hyderabad

Nov. 25: The Andhra Pradesh High Court’s decision to ban road shows in the poll season will affect all major political parties as such rallies are a big way to attract crowds and put forth issues before the public.

In fact, the stay hits all the big leaders including the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, Praja Rajyam chief Chiranjeevi, the TRS chief, Mr K. Chandrasekhar Rao, and the Telugu Desam president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, all of who undertake road shows.

In fact, Mr Chandrasekhar Rao is on the move in Adilabad district and he would have to wind up his road show immediately.

"We agree that it causes some inconvenience to people, but in a democracy and during elections, road shows help political parties to reach out to voters," said Mr K. Vidyadhar Rao, spokesperson of the Praja Rajyam.

The petition in the High Court was filed in the wake of the deaths of several people during Chiranjeevi’s road shows.

Mr Vidyadhar Rao termed the deaths unfortunate but pointed out that they also occurred during road shows and public meetings organised by the Congress.

The TD spokesman, Dr M.V. Mysoora Reddy said the party would react after going through the High Court order.

The order could be a blessing in disguise for the Telugu Desam since its star campaigners, Balakrishna and Junior NTR, are not keen on road shows.

"It’s an unfortunate order," said the Telangana Rashtra Samiti spokesperson, Mr G. Jagdish Reddy: "Road shows should be regulated and not totally banned."

Road shows have been part of Indian politics for long.

Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Mrs Indira Gandhi and Telugu Desam founder N.T. Rama Rao had all taken out road shows.

However, there is also the fact that the modern road shows have been creating traffic jams and mishaps.