PR took several defectors

Hyderabad

March 28: Turncoats who shifted their political affiliations at the eleventh hour are being honoured with tickets by parties to contest the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
The state has witnessed a large number of leaders shifting their loyalties. For instance, the Congress leader, Mr Nukarapu Suryaprakash Rao, who joined the Telugu Desam at 9.15 pm on Friday night was included in the list as a contestant from Anakapalle Assembly seat at 1 am by the party on Saturday. The TD supremo, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, had staged a day-long dharna against Mr Suryaparakash in 2007.
According to political analysts, this time with the formation of the Mahakutami, emergence of the Praja Rajyam (PR) and the early announcement of the Congress list has given aspirants sufficient time to switch their loyalties if their names are not on the list. The PR has topped the list of parties giving tickets to such fence-sitters. It is rumoured that the party kept the list of candidates pending till the last days of nomination expecting more defectors to join its ranks. The party has a long list of defectors, most of them from the Telugu Desam. Mr T. Devender Goud who merged his party with the PR was given Malkajgiri Lok Sabha ticket and his aide, Mr E. Peddi Reddy, was given Husnabad Assembly ticket from the PR. The Secunderabad Cantonment seat has been given to Mr N. Ravi Kumar and Aler ticket to Ms Shoba Rani. A political leader from the PR said, “When there are no suitable candidates in several places, it is not wrong for the new party to wait for switch overs.”
For instance, Mr T. Prabhakar Reddy from Chittoor deserted the Congress to join the PR was given a ticket. The Adilabad ticket was given to Mr M. Nagarao who jumped from the Congress to the PR. The ticket for Allagadda seat was allotted to Ms Shoba Nagi Reddy and the Panyam seat to Mr D. Vishnuvardhan Reddy. Mr B. Vedavyas and Ms Vangaveeti Radha who switched over from the Congress are likely to get PR tickets.

Rosaiah writes for DC: EC has to revamp its model code

Hyderabad, March 27: The Election Commission should take another look at the the model code of conduct in the backdrop of Opposition parties introducing new trends in electioneering.

The Congress has the highest regard for institutions such as the EC that strive to keep the spirit of democracy alive.

However, the conduct of the Opposition parties, particularly the Telugu Desam, is increasingly becoming unjust. In its quest for power, the TD is compromising on the life of common man by opposing even the provision of emergency medical care to the poor under Rajiv Arogyasri.

The model code, with an objective of providing a level playing field, explicitly talks about the dos and don’ts for the ruling party.

There is, however, no specific chapter that regulates the behaviour of Opposition parties and talks about their dos and don’ts. For instance, the proposed cash transfer scheme of the TD is nothing but luring people with money for their vote. Similarly, the process of releasing draft manifesto and putting it for discussion among people before coming out with the actual one is unprecedented. A situation is emerging wherein the EC shall have to incorporate certain restrictions on the Opposition parties too to provide a level playing field for the ruling party.

There is also a need to make a clear demarcation between the ongoing schemes and the new ones.

For instance, the Opposition parties have opposed identifying new beneficiaries for the ongoing Rajiv Aarogyasri scheme.

In actuality, new beneficiaries mean poor patients suffering from serious illness who may need emergency medicare. I feel hurt that the TD does not care for them.

On Indiramma housing also, there is no rationale behind the Opposition’s demand to stop release of funds to houses which are yet to be grounded. The Opposition has also demanded that the face of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on 108 ambulances be covered.

But posters and cut-outs of actors campaigning for the TD are freely being displayed. Channels are also telecasting their movies. We complained to the EC against this, but no decision has been taken yet.

SC gives Chiranjeevi rail engine

New Delhi/Rajahmundry, March 27: The Supreme Court on Friday handed a Ugadi gift to actor-politician Chiranjeevi, directing the Election Commission to give the Praja Rajyam a common symbol for the forthcoming elections. The PR will get the rail engine symbol that it opted for.

The MDMK (Desiya Murpu Dravida Kazhagam) of Vijayakanth in Tamil Nadu got the nagara (drum) and the Lok Satta the whistle. The apex court brushed aside objections of the Election Commission that allotting symbols after the election had been notified would be difficult.

Chiranjeevi, who was informed about the order during a campaign stop at Peddapuram in East Godavari district, said, “We believe in God and the judicial system.”

“Securing a common symbol is a good omen on Ugadi. This will be a harbinger of the good things,” he told cheering fans.

Party supporters brought toy rail engines, and Chiranjeevi held up one of them. “The train stands for social justice as it has a number of compartments to accommodate different sections of people who are taken to their destinations,” he said.

But this is an interim measure and the parties will have to approach the EC for a permanent symbol. “Most of the voters are illiterate and they go by the symbols of the candidates,” said a bench comprising Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justice P. Sathasivam.

The Supreme Court also stayed an AP High Court order which had directed the EC to allot common symbols to recognised political parties in the state.

Earlier, Chiranjeevi released the first list for 100 Assembly segments and nine Lok Sabha seats at 9.27 am after taking part in a Panchanga Sravanam.

He said 48 seats were allocated to BCs, 27 for OCs, 13 for SCs, seven for STs and five for minorities.

Kutami hits MRPS hurdle

Hyderabad, March 27: The Madiga Reservation Porata Samithi (MRPS) has decided to field candidates in all the 294 Assembly constituencies with the aim of defeating the Telugu Desam-led Grand Alliance (Mahakutami).

It released its first list of candidates for 217 constituencies on Friday causing much heartburn to the leaders of the Opposition coalition.

Since Madigas constitute a considerable chunk of voters in every constituency, the MRPS decision is likely to affect the winning prospects of the Grand Alliance candidates.

The decision may not affect the Congress that much, since it has got considerable clout among Malas, another scheduled caste group.

“While the Congress has deceived us on SC categorisation, the Grand Alliance has insulted us by turning down the repeated requests of the MRPS to allot seats to defeat the Congress,” said Mr Manda Krishna, leader of the MRPS, after releasing the first list.

He added that the insult meted out by the Grand Alliance was more painful than cheating by the Congress on the categorisation issue. “We will teach them a fitting lesson in the elections by working collectively for their defeat,” he said.

The MRPS is confident that its candidates can split 2,000 to 30,000 votes in every constituency and spoil the winning prospects of both the Grand Alliance and the Congress.

PR faces ire of reject leaders

By J.R.PRASAD

Hyderabad, March 27: Those who sang paeans about the Praja Rajyam till yesterday, are now cursing the party.

Like the Congress and the Telugu Desam, the PR is also witnessing the wrath of leaders who were denied tickets.

A PR activist from Nagarkurnool tried to immolate himself in front of the PR’s headquarters at Jubilee Hills here on Friday. His demand: Mr Dileep be given a ticket.

The police intervened when the situation became tense. The activist was later taken to hospital.

Followers of ticket aspirants from Qutbullapur, Goshamahal and Maheswaram Assembly segments also staged protests in front of the PR’s central office in Hyderabad.

A close aide of Pavan Kalyan, Mr Venkata Prasad, who aspired for the Maheswaram Assembly seat, broke down at the party office soon after knowing that the ticket was allotted to Mr A.V.N. Reddy, who owns educational institutions.

Ms Mamata Reddy, wife of former MLA Mr Ramana Reddy, who aspired for Metpally, staged a dharna in front of Pavan Kalyan’s residence for being denied a ticket.

In Srikakulam, MLC Mr G. Haribabu Naidu resigned from the party for not being given a ticket. Soon after, he announced that he would contest from Etcherla Assembly as an Independent candidate against Mr Kala Venkata Rao, the Praja Rajyam’s candidate.

Parties celebrate Ugadi

Hyderabad, March 27: Ugadi celebrations at the NTR Trust Bhavan were marred by Jr NTR’s injury in a mishap.

The Telugu Desam chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, did not attend the function, which was low key. Party senior leader Mr Yerrannaidu and other second-rung leaders attended it.

At the function, Pandit Srinivasa Gargeya said, coalition politics might dominate the state’s political scenario.

TRS leaders also celebrated the function without much fanfare as the Telangana Bhavan was busy with brisk political activity.

The PR chief, Chiranjeevi, celebrated Ugadi in East Godavari district. No function was organised in the party headquarters.

Mr.K.Suryanarayana Siddanthi rendered Panchanga Sravanam at BJP office and predicted that the state would get bountiful rains.

Meanwhile, astrologers who read the Panchanga at the Congress headquarters Gandhi Bhavan on the occasion, predicted that the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, will return to power.

Mr Mulugu Ramalingeswara Vara Prasada Siddanthi, who rendered the Panchanga Sravanam, foresaw a Congress sweep.

“Planets favour Dr Reddy and he will be the chief minister of the state again,” said Mr Siddanthi said.

Jr NTR out of action for 2 weeks

Hyderabad, March 27: Junior NTR, the TD’s star campaigner, is expected to be out of action for two weeks, following injuries he sustained in a road accident on Thursday.

The TD will fall back on Balakrishna to lead the campaign. Mr Lokesh Naidu, son of the party president, Mr Chandrababu Naidu, may canvas at select places.

An ashen-faced Jr NTR reached the hospital at about 2.15 pm. He had blood on his forehead, lips and on the head. He got down from the car amidst a crowd of media personnel and fans, and lay on a strecher.

Doctors sutured a gash on Jr NTR’s forehead. He reportedly suffered a mild fracture in the vertebrae besides fracture to two ribs on the right side. He is out of danger, doctors said.

“He is progressing very well. He is conscious and is able to recognise everyone. He was put on liquid diet but keeping his recovery in mind he will be put on solid food from Friday night,” said Dr B. Bhaskar Rao, CEO of KIMS.

Jr NTR told Balakrishna and Mr Naidu that he would get back to campaigning. “He is recovering and is keen on resuming electioneering,” his uncle and actor Balakrishna said. “I advised him to take rest.”

Mr Naidu said, “We are more concerned about his health than his campaign. We hope he will get well soon,” Jr NTR’s father N. Harikrishna said his son got a second lease of life. There was stream of visitors including members of his family and from the film and political fraternity.

Others travelling in the car were actor-friends Rajiv Kanakala and Srinivas Reddy, one Ramu and another person, Uday. They refused to call an ambulance and chose to drive to Hyderabad in his convoy.

The Suryapet circle inspector, Mr Laxminarayana, told this newspaper over phone that they had no idea about the driver of the car. The Mothe sub-inspector, Mr Mohd Iqbal, has been sent to Hyderabad to investigate.

“We have registered a suo motu case of rash and negligent driving as there is no complaint,” Mr Lakshminarayana said. The car was released in the morning.

Mothe police has booked a case of rash and negligent driving under Section 279 of the
Indian Penal Code against the driver for endangering the lives. It has been decided to
alter the case as rash and negligent act leading to injuries under Sections 337 and 338 of the IPC.

Section 279 IPC is punishable for six months imprisonment or fine or with both. Under 338 IPC the imprisonment may up to two years or with fine or with both.

"The accident took place around 10 pm about a furlong from the police station. Our personnel rushed there when the heard the sound. By that time they were shifting Jr NTR out of the car. We are not sure who was driving. They are naming one Mr Uday," Mr Lakshminarayana said.

Rajiv Kanakala, who was in the vehicle, said Jr NTR was trying to avoid a dog at a steep curve when he lost control. Later in the day. Jr NTR supporters denied he was at the wheel.

Mr Iqbal said police could not conduct a breathalyser test on the driver since the
convoy left immediately after the accident.

The Nalgonda superintendent of police, Mr B Srinivasulu, said, "We are still to get to interview Jr NTR. Those who were travelling with him named some other person as the driver."

Rs 9.5 lakh cash seized from PR leader’s aide

Rajahmundry, March 27: Police seized Rs 9.5 lakh in cash, that was concealed in sweet boxes and the two vehicles used to transport them.

The vehicles belonged to the Praja Rajyam leader, Mr Tammineni Sitaram and were seized at Devarapally in West Godavari at about 5.30 pm on Friday.

According to the police, two vehicles loaded with cash, saris, T-shirts with logos of Chiranjeevi and Mr Sitaram and calendars deliberately skipped the check post at Jeelugumilli when the security men asked for the vehicles to be stopped at about 4 pm.

The security personnel alerted the Deverapally police to track the vehicles.

The police intercepted the vehicles at Deverapally and searched it.

The two vehicles were on their way from Hyderabad to Srikakulam. The police officials have taken the MLA, Mr Tammineni Sitaram’s two drivers and the gun man Mr M. Rama Rao into custody for questioning.

CM grabs 230 seats to boost confidence

Hyderabad

March 26: The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy’s almost-daily chant of 230 Assembly seats and 36 Lok Sabha seats for the Congress is being seen as a move to instil confidence among his partymen, though the internal assessment of the party doesn’t reflect the figures.
This newspaper has already reported that party managers see the Congress easily winning 126 seats, and another 50 by using “all-out efforts.”
Interestingly, senior Congress leaders do not mention the 230-seat claim, and restrict themselves to saying that the party will score an impressive win.
Neither the PCC chief, Mr D. Srinivas, nor the finance minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, mentioned any numbers on Thursday at a campaign committee meeting on Thursday. They also added a note of caution: “Let us not be complacent. Don’t become over-confident. Go and campaign in a positive manner,” Mr Rosaiah told the party cadre.
The maximum number of seats that the Congress has won in the state after the advent of the TD was 185 seats in 2004, when it was part of the four-party alliance.
This time, the Congress prospects may be hit in the North Telangana region comprising five districts; this trend has been noticed in surveys conducted by some institutions. Besides, in Khammam and Nalgonda, the traditionally strong Left parties with their TRS-TD alliance could hit the Congress badly.
It will not be a one-sided affair in the north Andhra districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam, where BC communities dominate the scene. The Congress faces the TD reinvigorated by the campaign of Jr NTR and the Praja Rajyam. The three districts account for 35 seats.
The East and West Godavari districts, which contribute 34 seats, pose a similar dilemma for the Congress due to the strong Kapu factor because of the presence of Chiranjeevi. The districts from Krishna to Nellore will see a similar triangular fight.
It is only in the Rayalaseema region consisting of 52 Assembly seats that the Congress can be said to have a clear edge over its rivals.
With the situation being such, the Chief Minister’s claims have begun to grate on the Opposition’s ears.
The TD chief spokespeson, Mr Gorantla Butchaiah Chowdary, quipped: “He (Dr Reddy) will get the numbers in reverse, say either 32 or 23 or 0, but not 230.” Mr Jagadeeswara Reddy, chief spokes person of the TRS, said the Congress may get single-digit seats in Telangana and a total of 30 in the state. “Power has gone to his head, that is why he is talking of 230,” he said.
However, their taunts at Dr Reddy notwithstanding, the TD chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, and the PR chief, Chiranjeevi, have been repeatedly telling the media and the public that they will win 200 seats.

Jr NTR hurt in mishap

Hyderabad

March 25: Actor Jr NTR was injured when a car in which he was returning home overturned at Mo-thy village near Suryapet, about 130 km from here late on Thursday night.
He was being rushed to a hospital in the city after being administered first aid. His actor-friend, Rajiv Kanakala, was also injured.

A TD spokesperson, Mr L.V.S.R.K. Prasad told this newspaper that Jr NTR had sustained injuries on his head and suffered broken ribs. Reports said Jr NTR was driving the vehicle. He was returning from a highly successful campaign in north Andhra.

The Mothy inspector, Mr Mohd Iqbal, said the convoy had left the place by the time police reached the sport. The vehicle that had overturned had no number plate, he said.

Rebel fear haunts TD, TRS

Hyderabad/Nizamabad

March 26: A group of Telugu Desam activists led by a senior leader, Mr Teegala Krishna Reddy, staged a semi-nude protest in front of the house of the party president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, demanding allotment of Maheshwaram ticket to a party nominee.
“It is the TD which is strong in the area and not the TRS,” said one of the protesters.
Rebels have started creating havoc in both the TD and the Telangana Rashtra Samiti as soon as the parties reached an agreement on seat sharing. Angry TD activists ransacked the Nizamabad unit office of the party in protest against the allotment of the Nizamabad urban Assembly seat to the TRS.
The activists damaged the furniture and so raised the slogans against Mr Naidu.
Several TD leaders of Nizamabad have already joined the Congress and the Praja Rajyam parties angry at the seat allotment.
Another group of party activists from Uppal and other constituencies also staged a dharna before Mr Naidu’s house, shouting slogans against the TRS.
The TD politburo member, Mr Yerrannaidu, was gheraoed by a group of protestors and had a tough time assuring them that justice would be done to them.
“Some sacrifices are inevitable in an alliance,” said Mr Yerrannaidu.

Chiranjeevi gets rail engine symbol

New Delhi/Hyderabad: Actor-politicians Chiranjeevi in Andhra Pradesh and Vijayakanth in Tamil Nadu got a much-needed Ugadi gift on Friday: A common symbol for the Praja Rajyam and the DMDK respectively.

A bench of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justice P. Sathasivam clarified that the directions are only "interim" for the present elections and the parties cannot claim any equity until the dispute is settled.
Thanks to the order, the Lok Satta will get the whistle as the election symbol.

A bench of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justice P. Sathasivam clarified that the directions are only "interim" for the present elections and the parties cannot claim any equity until the dispute is settled.

"Securing a common symbol is a good omen on Ugadi. This will be a harbinger of the good things,” said Chiranjeevi said during a road show in East Godavari district.

The PRP was worried as lack of a common symbol would have created confusion among the voters.

Earlier, with the Election Commission rejecting its plea, the PR had filed a writ petition in the AP High Court but withdrew it strategically to explore other options.

In an unrelated case, the AP High Court had directed the Election Commission to provide common symbols for other parties.

The EC had appealed this order, which the Supreme Court turned down on Friday.

For some time the party had toyed with the idea of borrowing a symbol from non-functional recognised parties in states like Mizoram, Goa and Puducherry.

However, the Supreme Court's verdict today came as a big relief to the fledgling party that is facing its first electoral battle.

"Our rivals said we will not get a common symbol. But we had faith in God and the judiciary. We have your support Chiranjeevi said

Parties lure young votes with sops

Hyderabad

March 26: Political parties are competing with each other to garner votes of the youth by promising a plethora of populist schemes.
Analysts attribute this to the growing belief among politicians that young voters, especially students, play a big role in deciding the fates of candidates.
The ruling Congress claims that it has an edge over others as it has implemented many schemes for students during its tenure. Leaders mentioned enhanced scholarships and total fee-reimbursement for BC, SC, ST and minority students to substantiate their claim. The Congress is now promising to extend these schemes to students from poor families as well.
Meanwhile, the Praja Rajyam and the Telugu Desam have promised a monthly allowance of Rs 1,000 each to the unemployed if they are voted to power. The PR has also vowed to provide girls and students belonging to the SC, ST, BC and economically backward classes with free education from KG to PG. The PR also promises to provide 10 lakh people with jobs in 1,000 days.
The BJP has vowed to make Telugu compulsory till Class X and promises it will provide one crore students with laptops for just Rs 10,000 each.

CM gets ‘poorer’ after five years

Hyderabad

March 26: The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, has ended up “poorer” after ruling the state for five years.
The loss of some assets he held earlier would be mentioned in the affidavit he files with his nomination before the Pulivendula As-sembly constituency returning officer on April 2.
Dr Reddy surrendered his land in Idupulapaya two years ago after realising that it was assigned land. He also transferred property rights of a house in Banjara Hills to his son and Congress candidate for the Kadapa Lok Sabha seat, Mr Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy. He doesn’t own a car or a house now. Sources said Dr Reddy had transferred rights of another house in the Sagar Society colony to his daughter even before taking over the state’s reins.

Parties silent on terror threats

Hyderabad

March 25: The terror attacks that killed 60 persons during the rule of the Congress government do not figure among the electoral issues taken up by parties.
Four major blasts including a suicide bombing took place in Hyderabad highlighting the loopholes in the security system.
Though law and order and security are state subjects, none of the major political parties have taken up the issue of terrorism or have announced steps to curb it.
Neither the Congress manifesto nor the Praja Rajyam draft manifesto has mentioned it and the Telugu Desam leaders have not been referring to terror attacks during their election speeches.
Welfare schemes and health and educational reforms are at the top the agenda of the political parties.
The Congress, for instance, has spoken about food security but didn’t bother to speak about law and order or protection from terror attacks.
Though the BJP said it was for Surkashandhrapradesh”, its leaders too have not mentioned terror attacks and have only spoken in passing about their promise to bring back POTA.
Experts say after September 11 attacks, terrorism was the key issue in the United States elections.
“Terrorism is the biggest national security threat today in the country and both the ruling party and opposition parties have to discuss it,” said Mr B. Raman, a former official of the Research and Analysis Wing. “In India there is no discussion on terrorism or counter terrorism strategies. Politicians know that voters have short memory and they are not going to lose anything by ignoring the subject of terrorism.”
Mr Raman added that it was for the people and non governmental organisations to raise the subject.
The bomb blast that shook Macca Masjid on May 18, 2007, killed nine persons and in the following police firing, five persons were killed.
The Union home minister, Mr P. Chidambaram, himself had said that the case has turned cold.
In the twin blasts on August 2007 at Lumbini Park and Gokul Chat, 42 persons were killed and several were injured. In suicide bombing at Task Force office one person was killed in 2005.
“Parties should not politicise the terrorism issue but they should not ignore it either,” said a senior police officer. “They should discuss it objectively and assure steps for the security and safety of the people.”

EC braces for ‘auspicious day’ rush

Hyderabad

March 25: Election officials are bracing for a huge rush of candidates to file their nominations on Saturday, which has been declared as the sole auspicious day this week by astrologers.
Nominations for the first phase of polls, which started on March 23, will conclude on March 30. Though six days are left for the D-day, majority of candidates are planning to file their nominations on March 28.
Nominations will not be accepted on Ugadi, which falls on March 27, and on Sunday, March 29. Amavasya falls on March 26 and people of AP do not prefer to do anything auspicious on that day.
On Monday, candidates would not dare file nominations as it is Chavithi and not that favourable for victory.
Astrologer, Dr C.V.B. Subrahmanyam, said that politicians customarily avoid taking up major ventures a day before and after Amavasya. Thus, even March 25 and March 27 are ruled out.
“Though some candidates will be filing nominations even on Amavasya, the durmuhurtham will have its own impact whether one believes in it or not,” warned Mr Subhramanyam.
However, March 28 is Vidiya tithi with Aswini nakshtaram and is good in all respects, said Dyvagna Ponnaluri Srinivasa Gargeya, the asthana siddhanti of Kurthanam Siddheswari Peetham.
“It is the perfect day to start any work and emerge victorious,” he said. “It is so auspicious that even if three candidates from a single constituency file nominations on that day, while one will win, the other two will not lose their deposit.”
Mr Gargeya pointed out that those who waited till the last day, March 30, to file nominations will lose their deposit because of the presence of Kruttika nakshatram.

NEW: Political kin selfish

Hyderabad

March 25: Political families enjoying fruits of power for years do not really bother about the victory of other candidates.
In fact, they play spoilsport to prevent emergence of new leaders, fearing that they would pose a threat to their existence.
This is the surmise of the National Election Watch which has been observing the political trends in the state.
“No businessman likes competition,” said Ajay Gandhi, convenor of National Election Watch-AP Wing. “Similarly, political families which enjoy power cannot tolerate the emergence of other leaders.”
For instance, the Telugu Desam leader, Mr K.Yerrannaidu, and his brother, Mr Atchannaidu, could win in the 2004 elections but majority of the other TD candidates were defeated in Srikakulam district.
Vexed with the attitude of Mr Yerrannaidu, several important leaders like Mr Tammineni Seetaram and Mr Kimidi Kalavenkata Rao left the party and joined the Praja Rajyam.
Now, the TD is struggling to find out strong candidates in Srikakulam.
Similarly, the minister for revenue, Mr Dharmana Prasada Rao, and his brother Mr Krishna Dasu, are controlling the Congress affairs in the district, preventing the emergence of other leaders.
The Congress leader, Mr Botsa Satyannaraya’s family has got three tickets in 2009 elections causing much resentment among other leaders.
The dominance of Botsa family led to the exit of senior leaders such as Mr Penmatsa Samsashiva Raju from the Congress.
Similarly, the Anam and Nedurumilli families dictate the politics of Nellore district.
The families of the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, the PCC president, Mr D. Srinivas, and the minister, Mr Kanna Laxminarayana, are no exception either.
And some families like that of Mr Daggubati Venkateswara Rao are able to enjoy power whether they are in the TD or the Congress.

Jayasudha strives to find Secunderabad residence

Hyderabad

March 25: Actor-turned-politician Jayasudha is struggling to find a house for herself in Secunderabad.
Currently, she faces the tag of being an “outsider,” as her residence is in Gachibowli.
Jayasudha now wants to set up a home in Secunderabad Assembly
constituency from where she is contesting.
The move is aimed at erasing the outsider tag and be one among the voters here so that she can take on Mr Talasani Srinivas Yadav of the Telugu Desam.
Mr Yadav, the sitting MLA from Secunderabad Assembly segment, has been stating that Jayasudha is an outsider and is not familiar with the local problems.
However, efforts by Jayasudha to get an accommodation has not materialised. Several house owners have sent back her aides stating that they do not want to give the house to a politician as political activity will disturb the residential atmosphere.
When contacted, Jayasudha said no one is willing to give house to a politician. “I started searching for a house only after the Congress released the names of candidates. I may have got a house had I started searching before the list was announced,” she said.
Jayasudha wants to stay with the electorate. Though her daily campaign schedule along with the problems of each area is being sent to her directly from the Chief Minister’s Camp Office, Jayasudha said she prefers to talk with slum dwellers to understand their living conditions and demands.

BC candidates get a raw deal

Hyderabad

March 25: Though “social justice” is the main plank of all political parties in the state, they are fielding candidates from Backward Classes from “unwinnable” seats, much to the anguish of BC unions.
As many as 26 BC unions, which are furious over the “indifferent attitude” of the
political parties have decided to expose their ‘conspiracy’ by observing a ‘state bandh’ this week.
The unions claimed that while the surveys undertaken by various political parties suggested that BC candidates have the edge in 60 Assembly constituencies across the state, the parties are fielding them from other constituencies.
Several parties are offering seats to BCs from constituencies such as Karwan,
Charminar, Chandrayangutta, Yakutpura and Rajendranagar, where Muslim population is more and the chances of winning are remote.
“This is nothing but insulting the Backward Classes. Why can’t these parties field candidates from upper castes for such constituencies,” said Mr R. Krishnaiah, president of the Backward Classes United Front.
“As of now, only the Congress has announced the entire candidates list. The other parties are yet to complete the process. But given the current situation, we don’t expect other parties to offer ‘winnable seats’ to BCs. We will give a call for a state bandh after the lists of all major political parties are out,” Mr Krishnaiah said.
The unions are also angry at the decision of parties to field weak candidates in several constituencies apart from not allotting seats to BCs in Adilabad and Kadapa districts by the Congress.

Dissidents try to end lives

Karimnagar
March 25: Protests broke out both in the Telugu Desam (TD) and the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) on Wednesday over the denial of tickets.
Six followers of TD party state secretary, Mr Gangula Kamalakar, attempted suicide at the party office fearing allocation of Karimnagar Assembly party ticket to a non-local.
In another incident, supporters of Mr Katari Devender Rao, who wants the TRS Karimnagar Assembly ticket, staged a protest at KCR Bhavan in the town upset over the possibility of ticket being allocated to the TD as part of seat-sharing.
In support of their demand that the party allot ticket to their leaders, two supporters of Mr Kamalakar consumed pesticide at party office, two others threatened to jump from the top of a building while two more activists poured kerosene and threatened to immolate themselves.
Two persons who consumed pesticide were admitted to a nearby private hospital.
The TRS dissidents felled trees at party chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s residence and burnt it in protest against the possible denial of Karimnagar ticket to Mr Devender Rao.
In Ramagundam, TD workers destroyed the furniture in the party office. They were upset by the allocation of Ramagundam Assembly seat to the TRS.

Minister faces urban voters 1st time

Hyderabad, March 24: For the first time in his 40-year-old political career, the Union minister Mr S. Jaipal Reddy, will try his luck among urban voters. He started his political career from Kalwakurti, a very backward area in Mahbubnagar district, in 1969 and won the seat four times.

In an exclusive interview to this newspaper, the “Best Parliamentarian” disclosed that he had no “personal” stand on the Telangana issue except that taken by the party high command. “I sincerely support the statement issued by the high command which was read out in the Assembly by the Chief Minister,” Mr Reddy said.
When asked about his place in the party and his future plans, the Union minister said that he preferred to be a party spokesperson rather than be a gladiator.
As the urban development minister, Mr Reddy had sanctioned Rs 2,200 crore for the Krishna water scheme and sewerage schemes at Rajendranagar and Serilingampally.
“Normally candidates do something for their constituency after winning the election. But in my case it is different. Most of the segments falling under the Chevella constituency have already benefited from my work,” Mr Reddy said.
However, his political career has not been a smooth one. He has been criticised for the enormous delay in the expansion of National Highway-9. Mr Jaipal Reddy clarified that he had done his job and sanctioned funds way back in 2007.
“The two companies, Soma Engineering and Madhucon, went to court and got stay orders that stalled work,” Mr Reddy explained.
Mr Jaipal Reddy is also credited for launching low-floor luxury buses across the country. “We have to improve the public transport system. The planet cannot afford to waste precious fuel and damage the atmosphere any longer,” Mr Reddy said.
After his Miryalaguda constituency ceased to exist after delimitation, Mr Jaipal Reddy was in a dilemma as two Assembly segments merged into one Lok Sabha segment and three merged in another. “I would have opted for the Nalgonda seat, if it was a single constituency. I did not want to unseat any sitting MP, so I chose Chevella,” he added.
Mr Jaipal Reddy has also launched a website for people to access his speeches.

PR rejects rebel leaders

By J.R.PRASAD

Hyderabad, March 24: Causing disappointment to several aspirants and sitting MLAs in the Congress and the Telugu Desam, who were denied tickets for the elections, the Praja Rajyam chief, Chiranjeevi, on Tuesday made it clear that he would not give Assembly tickets to new entrants into his party henceforth.

“We will not accommodate newcomers in the party’s candidates’ list for the ensuing polls. If we allot tickets to new entrants from other parties, leaders, who have been with the party since its inception, will be deprived. So, we have decided not to give tickets to those leaders, who join the party henceforth, whether it is Congress minister Mr G. Surya Rao or somebody else,” he said.
He said that the PR’s first list of candidates and manifesto would be released on Wednesday.
Former MP from the BJP and veteran actor, Mr U.V. Krishnam Raju, on Tuesday joined the PR in the presence of Chiranjeevi. Mr Raju is likely to be fielded from the Narsapur LS seat.
Speaking on this occasion, the PR chief welcomed Mr Raju, who hails from his village, Mogalturu, in West Godavari district, to the party.
“In fact, Mr Raju was my role model during my college days. After watching his movies, I decided to become an actor like him and succeeded in due course,” Chiranjeevi said.
When asked whether Mr Raju would take initiative to forge an alliance between the PR and the BJP, he said, “My joining indicates this. Moreover, I support the BJP
at the national level.”
He added that he would explain the reasons later. Surprisingly, even Chiranjeevi spoke on similar lines. “We are not against the BJP.
We are only saying that our party is secular.”

TV sales drop 80% due to TD’s election promise

Hyderabad

March 24: Sales of television sets have come down in semi-urban and rural areas thanks to the Telugu Desam’s promise to provide colour TV sets to poor and middle class families if it is voted to power.
Majority of people in rural areas have postponed their plans to purchase TV sets till the election process is completed. Of course, if the Congress or the PR comes to power, TV sales will go up again.
Though voters are happy at the TD’s promise, owners of showrooms are not very enthusiastic.
Electronic showrooms generally witness brisk business during Ugadi and summer season. However, this time sales have dropped by 80 per cent. TD’s star campaigner Junior NTR has reiterated the promise of colour TVs throughout his campaign in North Andhra and other coastal districts.
“The TD’s assurance has completely disturbed our business and we could not sell even one TV set in the last one month,” said Mr Devata Srinivasa Rao, proprietor of Lakshmi Ganesh General Stores of Narsipatnam in Visakhapatnam district. “We are not even getting enquiries.”
Mr Ch B.P.R. Chowdary of Gemini Plaza in Kakinada fears that many TV showrooms would be closed down if the TD comes back to power.
“Distribution of TV sets by DMK government had led to closure of several shops in Tamil Nadu,” he said. “I am worried about the future. All TV showroom owners are now anxiously awaiting election results.”
Creative Engineers of Visakhapatnam, which supplies TV sets to several showrooms, said there was drastic fall in sales in the coastal area.

Politicians queue outside temples

Hyderabad

March 24: With the polls fast approaching, politicians have started frequenting temples like Chilkuru Balaji, Birla Mandir, Yadagirigutta, Pedamma Talli temple at Jubilee Hills and Aremysamma temple at Bandlaguda.
The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, appears to be the most faithful of all politicians. He will kickstart his campaign at Chevella on Wednesday seeking the blessing of Chilkuru Balaji, who is also known as ‘Visa Venkateswara Swami.’
Before going to Chilkuru, Dr Reddy will visit Bangaru Mysamma temple at Nampally.
He will also seek blessings at the Nampally dargah. Dr Reddy will also visit Aremysyamma temple in Bandlaguda and the
Methodist Church at Moinabad.
“Dr Reddy visits all places of worship before taking up any important programme. He was successful when he launched his historic padayatra in 2003 after visiting Chilkuru Balaji, Aremysyamma and other temples. As part of a tradition, we will accompany the Chief Minister to these temples on Wednesday,” said Gidugu Rudra Raju, APCC general secretary.
Senior BJP leader, Mr Baddam Bal Reddy, who is contesting from the Chevella Lok Sabha seat, filed his nomination at Chevella RDO office after a darshan of Aremysamma.

Speech writers deliver power quotes

By J.R.PRASAD

Hyderabad, March 24: The actor-turned politicians may get all the accolades and adulation for their “power-packed” speeches, but the words are not really their own. The real hard work is done by the professional speech writers who provide the politicians with verbal ammunition.

Be it the Telugu Desam to the Praja Rajyam, every political party relies on speech writers to prepare the “script” for their star campaigners.
All the dialogues delivered by Junior NTR during his state-wide tour is written by professionals. Tollywood’s noted dialogue writing duo — the Paruchuri brothers — are helping the young actor deliver the dialogues.
In fact, in the Telugu Desam, there is an exclusive wing at the NTR Trust Bhavan to prepare speeches for the party chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu and other campaigners like N. Balakrishna. This wing is now being headed by the former head of a news network. A few professional writers assist him in this job. Even if Mr Naidu is on a tour, this wing faxes him the speeches.
In the Praja Rajyam, Mr Vikram, a former journalist who earlier used to write speeches for Mr Naidu, is now writing the script for Chiranjeevi.
Recently, the TD chief acknowledged the role played by these writers when he reacted to the PR’s allegations that his party had planted spies in the PR.
“These are baseless allegations. In fact, the PR took away our leaders and also our staff in the media wing,” Mr Naidu had said.
However, writing a poll speech is not an easy affair. For example, a speech writer for Junior NTR needs to have a knowledge of the manner in which NTR spoke. The person writing speeches for Chiranjeevi should be able to explain socio-economic problems in layman’s terms.
“Chiranjeevi does not like personal criticism of his political rivals. I only provide him with facts when he wants to speak on a particular issue. The words are chosen by him,” said Mr Vikram, speech writer to Chiranjeevi.
When it comes to the Chief Minister’s speech writer, he should have a knowledge of the various developmental programmes being taken up by the government.
While the leaders can speak all they want, the voter will have the final say during the polls.

Unfair ratio of women in LS

Hyderabad

March 24: Women empowerment has remained only on paper for the last 13 years though all political parties assured that they would provide 33 per cent reservation to women in Parliament.
Both the Congress and the BJP are once again promising to introduce the Women Reservation Bill if voted to power.
The Congress president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, who released the party’s manifesto in New Delhi on Tuesday, assured that political empowerment of women will become a reality only if the UPA comes to power.
Women organisations, however, said no party is sincere about giving one-third quota to women in legislative bodies. According to them, the number of women MPs in the Lok Sabha will not cross 50 this time as well since many parties are not keen to field women in polls.
In the 2004 polls, 45 women were elected to Parliament which is just 8.29 per cent of the House strength. In the 1999 elections, women got the highest representation with 49 being elected. Women organisations say parties have to allocate more seats until the Women’s Reservation Bill is passed in Parliament.

Criminal cases on many MLAs

Hyderabad

March 24: Most of the criminal cases, including those of
serious nature ranging from attempt to murder and forgery to rioting, against politicians are either under investigation or pending for trial.
Thanks to the apathy of the police department, which sits on these cases paving way for MLAs, MPs and MLCs having criminal background to contest, none of the cases end up in conviction.
A senior police officer said, “There is political pressure to pursue these cases. It is very difficult to chargesheet politicians. Even if chargesheets are filed, the investigators would rarely concentrate on collecting evidence. So they end up in acquittal.”
The TD MLA from Rayachoty, Mr S. Palakondrayudu, was accused in two
attempt to murder cases and three other criminal cases of serious nature.
Similarly, TD MLAs Mr D. Narendra Kumar from Ponnur in Guntur district, Mr Kodali Nani from Gudivada, CPI MLAs Mr Chada Venkat Reddy from
Indurthy and Mr M Babu Rao from Badrachalam are among those facing criminal charges.

Poor economy may hit poll sops

Hyderabad

March 24: The tall promises made by various political parties may fall flat in the wake of the low economic growth rate of the state and steep fall in revenues. Though the Congress claims to have issued a “realistic” manifesto in the context of the revenue dip, it will still have to mobilise additional revenues of at least Rs 10,000 crore to implement all its poll promises.
To be fair, this is rather modest when compared with the Telugu Desam and Praja Rajyam that have announced a flurry of schemes to catch the eye of the voter.
Finance department officials say that it would require additional revenue of at least Rs 25,000 crore to implement the new promises made by the TD, taking the total additional revenues required to Rs 35,000 crore since it won’t be able to scrap existing schemes.
“Their manifestos will have no sanctity if they fail to explain to people how they plan to mobilise funds,” said Mr V. Lakshmana Reddy, convener of Election Watch. While announcing his much-hyped cash transfer scheme, the TD chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, said no additional funds were required as revenue was growing at 20 per cent.
But the state economy presents a grim picture with just seven per cent growth rate against the projected 11 per cent in 2007-2008. Sources said the revenue out of Value Added Tax was Rs 22,000 crore against the 2008-2009 budgetary target of Rs 25,800 crore and Rs 28,000 crore of 2009-2010. On the expenditure front, salaries, pensions and interest on loans together account for Rs 30,000 crore, the Rs 2 kilo rice scheme Rs 3,500 crore, Rajiv Aarogyasri Rs 1,000 crore and fee reimbursement Rs 2,000 crore.

YSR stumps Naidu in tech race

Hyderabad, March 22: The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, has overtaken his bete noire, the Telugu Desam president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, in the “hi-tech race” this general elections to woo voters.

Dr Reddy on Sunday took to weblogging with his maiden “penpricks” recalling the famous visit of Mahatma Gandhi to South Africa, taking potshots at the Opposition and exuding confidence that the Congress will win the “gold medal” in the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.

“Mr Naidu bends to every wind,” Dr Reddy said in his first-ever political comment in his blog. He said the TD chief believes that pursuit of power is the only purpose of politics, that any somersault is fair in an election, that all policies are usable and throwable. “Even my critics will acknowledge that I have done no somersaults during my time in politics”.

This is one electoral score Dr Reddy made over Mr Naidu, since the latter is known for his hi-tech publicity stunts. Though the TD supremo introduced online radio and TV webcasting important news and political events for the benefit of Telugu NRIs, Dr Reddy took him by surprise by launching his own blog.

“Yes We Will,” proclaims the YSR’s blog, apparently as an answer to the “change” theme being talked by actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi. No political party president in the state has his own blog, though party activists have set up websites supporting their leaders.

The MIM president, Mr Asaduddin Owaisi, is using facebook to spread his views. Dr Reddy is the first seniormost politician to ever launch a blog.

Incidentally, Dr Reddy’s son and the Congress candidate from Kadapa LS seat, Mr Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, and Mr Chandrababu Naidu’s son, Mr Lokesh Naidu, too maintain their own blogs.

“Mine is a simple vision: make power, water, food and education affordable, and you put money in the pockets of the poor. When the poor have money, they will do wonders for society. They will send their children to school, they will treat their daughters better and they will look after their health. They will take up small enterprise and invest the surplus in the things they need most. A million small enterprises will provide work to a million jobless people. It is not only rich men who can create jobs, small entrepreneurs can create infinitely many more,” writes Dr Reddy.

The TD manages as many as a dozen websites, but none of them is devoted exclusively for general elections.

Mr Naidu has a personal website and it can be accessed through a hyperlink from the Telugu Desam’s website

Jr NTR, Lokesh vie for supremacy

By J.R.PRASAD

Hyderabad, March 22: A battle for supremacy appears to have begun between the actor Junior NTR and Lokesh, son of the Telugu Desam president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu.

Even as Junior NTR is riding a cycle and sleeping in the fields during his highly successful election campaign, Lokesh is trying to establish himself as the successor of Mr Naidu.

Mr Lokesh, who helped his father formulate the TD’s Cash Transfer Scheme, has now started intervening in day-to-day affairs of the party.

According to TD sources, Mr Lokesh has been helping his father to select potential candidates from various constituencies based on surveys.

“Mr Naidu conducted eight surveys to identify candidates across the state. Now, he is screening the names of candidates with the help of his son,” said a close aide of the TD chief on condition of anonymity.

Giving credence to these reports, the TD chief has set up a separate chamber in the cellar of his house for his son to carry out party work.

The back room boys in the TD camp, who are supposedly helping Mr Naidu to finalise the candidates, like Mr C.M. Ramesh, a contractor, “Sujana” Choudhary, an industrialist, and Mr Garikapati Mohan Rao, party leader, are now regularly meeting Mr Lokesh in his chamber and discussing party affairs.

Mr Naidu’s son is also said to be looking after campaign strategies and meeting film personalities like Murali Mohan and K. Raghavendra Rao to prepare the TD’s campaign ads.

It is also learnt that Mr Lokesh is discussing the party’s poll campaign material with these film personalities.

Lokesh has also become a rallying point for ticket aspirants. Some aspirants are approaching Mr Lokesh in order to get a nomination. For instance, Ms D. Roja Rani, an aspirant for the Huzurnagar seat, recently sought an appointment with Lokesh to present her candidature. Sources said NRIs are seeking Lokesh’s recommendation for tickets.

Stampede fear in PR office

By J.R.PRASAD

Hyderabad, March 23: Whenever Chiranjeevi’s new flicks hit theatres, proprietors of cinema halls used to take utmost security measures fearing stampede at the ticket counters.

Now, a similar situation is prevailing at Chiranjeevi’s Praja Rajyam headquarters as the selection of PR candidates for the upcoming polls is coming to an end.
This has prompted the Praja Rajyam authorities to tighten security at the their central offices.
Allotment of Assembly tickets has kept the security staff of the PR central offices on their toes.
The swanky building at Jubilee Hills, which houses Geeta Arts office, a film production house of Mr Allu Aravind, brother-in-law of Chiranjeevi, has turned into a fortress.
The glass walls of the building have been covered with plywood boards to minimise damage in case disgruntled aspirants turn violent. Mr Aravind is playing a key role in the selection process of the PR candidates.
The fledgling party has already tasted the wrath of party leaders who attacked PR offices in various districts when the state committee was announced.
Interestingly, the PR leadership is conducting “counselling classes” for aspirants who are vying for the same seat, so as to pacify the discontent among them.
Along with Mr Aravind and Mr Devender Goud, Chiranjeevi is taking part in these meetings to justify the reasons for chosing a particular candidate.
Chiranjeevi has warned ticket aspirants in his party not to resort to dissidence if they are denied tickets.
He said any dissident activity would be dealt with firmly.
The Praja Rajyam is now giving final touches to the list of candidates. The party leadership is planning to release the first list with 70 candidates either on Tuesday or Wednesday.
“We are expecting a large number of people to migrate from the Grand Alliance after the Telugu Desam releases its first list. So,
we are not finalising candidates in segments where Mahakutami members are at loggerheads,” said a close aide of Chiranjeevi.

Jagan, Jr NTR seem to be the future

Hyderabad

March 23: Are Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy and Junior NTR the future of politics in Andhra Pradesh? The answer is a big yes from leaders in both the Congress and the Telugu Desam as the duo is attracting huge crowds with their innovative campaigns.
Clarity in speech, acceptance of activists and public image are an added advantage for the young leaders. Their campaign style is creating ripples among political rivals.
Congress activists across the state want Mr Jaganmohan Reddy to campaign. It was he who first cornered the Praja Rajyam chief Chiranjeevi for not doing anything for his native village, Mogalturu.
Everything was going on smoothly for the PR chief until Mr Jagan’s tour of Godavari district. Chiranjeevi became silent as he was unable to answer questions raised by the latter. Chiranjeevi admitted that he had not visited Mogalturu in 30 years. The Congress leaders who were unable to corner Chiranjeevi till then, were relieved and intensified a verbal war against the PR chief’s claim.
Mr Jagan also provided a real weapon to the Congress in the form of the Sakshi newspaper.
It gave a platform to the Congress government to explain its policies at a time when some vernacular dailies were continuously projecting the Congress leaders as corrupt.
According to close associates of the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, Mr Jagan realised that he cannot have a bright political future unless he got the support of the media.
Like Mr Jagan, Junior NTR is also careful in his choice of words and confines himself to issue-based criticism. He also keeps away from movie gimmicks, indicating that he will maintain decorum in politics.
The actor who bears a grudge against the ill-treatment meted out to his family has sent out a clear signal to his uncle and actor Nandamuri Balakrishna that he is the right person to claim NTR’s legacy with his stunning speeches. He stayed away from the Yuva Garjana organised at Guntur so that he does not share the dais with Balakrishna. With his calculated moves, Junior NTR has grabbed the attention of people during the tour before elections. He has sent out a clear signal that he will play a crucial political role in the future.