Voters quiz leaders during campaign

By J.R.PRASAD

Hyderabad, April 7: Voter awareness has gone to the level of cornering the candidates and their party chiefs in the public and humiliating them to no end.

It was none other than the Telugu Desam chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, who had to give an explanation, when he was cornered by a voter at the Mahakutami’s public meeting at Suryapeta on Monday. The voter wanted to know how Mr Naidu was going to implement the poll promises.
This happened when Mr Naidu was taking pot-shots at the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy that a person created a ruckus by questioning the practicability of the TD’s promises.
Even the Chief Minister faced an uneasy situation during his campaign at Shayampet in Warangal district on Monday. This happened when a supporter of Telangana state questioned about its formation.
From the home minister, Mr K. Jana Reddy, to the Telangana Rashtra Samiti chief, Mr K. Chandrsasekhar Rao’s son, Mr Taraka Rama Rao, no contestant is being left untouched without being quizzed on several issues during the campaign trail.
Mr Jana Reddy was embarrassed recently when he was touring the Nagarjunasagar constituency from where he is contesting. He was asked why he failed to provide drinking water in some villages.
Another minister, Mr Mukesh Goud, was cornered by some voters when during campaigning at Chudi Bazar in Goshamahal constituency. He was asked why one of the roads was not constructed even after five years.
Though the minister tries to pacify them, the villagers shot back saying that permission were already granted to construct the road but it was not taken up.
Voters are not only raising public issues, they are also putting up personal problems. Recently a vendor, Mr Harikishan Sharma, asked Mr Mukesh Goud, minister, why the dirt piled at the side of his house was not removed when the latter visited Multhanipura in Goshamahal segment.
“There are 40 voters in our family. If you don’t solve our problems, we will have to think about casting votes to you,” Mr Sharma said.