Rajas still influence elections

Hyderabad

March 19: Even though kings and their kingdoms have gone, their descendants in the form of rajas and zamindars still influence the outcome of elections in several constituencies.
While many of them are fully into politics like P. Ashok Gajapati Raju of Vizianagaram and Ravu Bahadur Sujay Venkata Krishna Ranga Rao of Bobbili, other members of royal families like Ms Raja Vasireddy Rajyalakhsmamma, the rani of Muktyala in Krishna district call the shots from behind the scenes.
Dr Bhaskara Sai Krishna Yachendra, son of Raja V.V.R.K. Yachendra of Venkatagiri dynasty says: “I am not contesting elections. Our family usually supports the TD and we have a big influence in Venkatagiri constituency. At least 15,000 voters will vote for the party we recommend. We shifted our loyalties from the Congress after NTR’s entry.” Dr Sai Krishna, was a TD MLA from Venkatagiri earlier. Film actor N. Balakrishna stayed with Yachendra’s family in their fortress when he toured Venkatagiri recently.
Mr Suraneni Venkata Sudhakar Rao, son of Raja Narasimha Rao, of Mylavaram Samsthan who is also the chairman of the former hereditary trustees association, says: “My support is based on the contestant. I am yet to take a decision in this election. Last time I supported the Congress candidate, Mr Ch Venkat Rao.”