Close encounters on cards

March 11: For the first time, the state is witnessing a multi-cornered contest which may upset the winning calculations of several candidates.
With the Congress, Mahakutami, Praja Rajyam and the BJP putting up their candidates in the upcoming elections, it will be difficult even for the top leaders to win with a big margin.
Rebels and independents are set to play spoilsport and affect the winning chances of many candidates. Heavy weights of all the parties are now worried about their own victory with the “do or die-like” situation in all the constituencies.
The winning margin may come down further as each constituency is likely to witness a fight among 10 candidates.
Political experts say more surprises are likely as unexpected people may emerge as winners and play a key role in forming the government as no party is sure about absolute majority.
Some NGOs say the multi-corner contest will lead to more political corruption in the state. “Even a single vote is important when more than four important parties are fielding their candidates. Naturally, they may lure voters with more cash, liquor and house-hold goods,” said Mr Ajay Gandhi, convener of the National Election Watch-AP wing. “We request voters to exercise their franchise carefully,” he added.
In the 2004 elections, over 50 candidates won with a margin of 1,000 votes. The Telugu Desam lost several seats like Vizianagaram, Bhimunipatnam, Chilakal-
uripet, Kovuru and other constituencies with a thin margin. TD candidate Mr Nallapureddy Prasanna Ku-
mar Reddy was defeated by the Congress candidate, Mr Polamreddy Srinivasa Red-
dy, with a thin margin of 480 votes in Kovuru of Nellore district. Similarly, Mr Appala Raju of TD was defeated with a margin of 301 votes by the Congress candidate, Mr K.Seetaram.