Spotlight on VIP candidates

Hyderabad, April 21: All eyes are now on VIP constituencies in the state where top leaders are fighting pitched battles with formidable rivals.
Tirupati is on top of the list where Praja Rajyam chief Chiranjeevi and the Chief Minister’s confidante and former TTD chairman, Mr Karunakara Reddy, are fighting each other.
Chiranjeevi is contesting from both Palacole and Tirupati and the Congress nominee has been campaigning that the latter will vacate Tirupati to settle down in Palacole in native West Godavari dsitrict.
The Praja Rajyam camp is perturbed by this and has been saying that the party chief had not yet decided on which seat to retain in case he wins from both the constituencies.
Chandragiri of Chittoor district is also witnessing a close fight between the minister, Ms Galla Aruna Kumari, and Telugu Desam’s firebrand campaigner and actor Roja. Both are striving hard to win the seat.
The former minister, Mr Gali Muddukrishnama Naidu, is taking on the minister, Mr Chenga Reddy, in Nagari in the second phase of polls. Mr Chenga Reddy, who defeated Roja in 2004 elections, vows that he will win with a thumping majority against Mr Naidu, who is contesting the on TD ticket this time.
Ms Kotla Sujatamma, daughter in law of the former Chief Minister, Mr Kotla Vijayabhaskara Reddy, has been fielded against TD’s well known Rayalaseema leader, Mr K.E. Krishnamurthy, in Dhone of Kurnool district.
The battle between the minister, Mr Kasu Venkata Krishna Reddy, and TD senior leader, Mr Kodela Shiva Prasada Rao, in Narasaraopet is also creating enthusiasm among the public. An SP rank officer has been posted in Narasaraopet to prevent possible clashes between the two parties during elections.
Tollywood colleagues Murali Mohan (TD) and Krishnam Raju (PR) are testing their electoral fortunes in Rajahmundry Lok Sabha seat where the CWC member, Mr Undavalli Arunkumar, is also contesting on Congress ticket.
It has emerged as a VIP constituency because of this three-cornered fight and the Congress president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, herself came to Rajahmundry to ensure the victory of Mr Undavalli who is close to her family.
A victory in Anakapalle Assembly segment will be crucial for all three parties with the close contest between the minister, Mr Konatala Ramakrishna (Congress), Mr.Dadi Veerabhadra Rao (TD) and Ganta Srinivasa Rao (PR).
Political analysts are also keenly watching the victory margins of Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy in Pulivendula, his son, Mr Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy in Kadapa Lok Sabha seat and the TD president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu in Kuppam.