Naidu jams mobiles to stop leaks

BY J.R.PRASAD

Hyderabad, March 28: The Telugu Desam, so good at “managing” candidates, has gone into overdrive to prevent disappointed aspirants from switching over to other parties. So much so, the TD has installed cellphone jammers at the party chief, Mr Chandrababu Naidu’s residence to prevent information from leaking out.

While the Congress has accommodated the odd TD rebel, the PR is looking for “migratory birds.” The TD president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, is known to release poll lists very late at night, but he beat even his record this time. The party released its third list at 1.45 am, the early hours of Saturday.

Journos sleeping at home were woken up by an SMS from the TD that said: “Please check your e-mail for third list of TD candidates.” When asked about this, Mr Naidu only smiled.
For the record however, the first list was released around noon because the time was auspicious. A second, smaller, list was announced about 8.30 pm.

Interestingly, cellphone jammers have been set up at Mr Naidu’s residence to prevent “sources” from leaking information to the media, other parties and, most importantly, the aspirants themselves. Sources said Mr Naidu’s son, Mr Lokesh Naidu, who is looking after party affairs, was instrumental in setting up the jammers.

Asked about the jammers, a close aide of Mr Naidu, said, “We suspect some of our leaders (of leaking information). As soon as any meeting is held at Mr Naidu’s residence, the deliberations are passed to other parties.” “To contain moles, we have set up jammers,” the aide explained. The TD delaying its list had its effect. The PR kept postponing its list throughout Saturday. It was released only late at night.