Going in for Bt cotton is a fad: a study by US expert

VV Balakrishna
First published on Feb 2, 2007
Farmers in the state are going for Bt ctoon lured by advertisements and marketing strategies of the seed producing companies and bringing onthemselves environmental and economic crisis, says an extensive studymade in Warangal district by Glenn Davis Stone of Washington Universityduring 2003-05.Stone is a professor of Anthropology and Environmental Studies atWashington University (St Louis). His findings were published in an article titled ``Agriculture De-skilling and the Spread of GeneticallyModified Cotton in Warangal,'' in the February issue of the reputedjournal ``Current Anthropology''.In the article, Stone observers that Warangal district is a key cotton-growing area in one of the most closely watchedarenas of the global struggle over genetically modified crops. In 2005 farmers adopted India's first genetically modified crop, Bt cotton, in numbersthat resembled a fad. Various parties, including the bio-technology, interpret the spread as result of farmers' experimentation and management skills, alluding to orthodox innovation-dillusion theory. However, a multi-year ethnography of Warangal cotton farmers shows a striking pattern of localilsed, ephemeral cotton seed fad precedingthe spread of the genetically modified seeds. The Bt cotton fad is symptomatic of systemic disruption of the process of experimentationand develpment of management skills, according to Stone. In fact, Warangal cotton farming offers a case study in agriculturede-skilling, a process that differs fundamentally from the better-knownprocess of industrial de-skilling. In terms of cultural evolution theory, de-skilling is a vital link between enviromental and social learning, to propogate practices with little or no environmental basis. Stone's study reveals that genetically modified crops affect farmersin developing countries, argues Kavitha Kuruganti of Centre for Sustainable Agriculture. Stone termed the selection of Bt cotton seed by the farmers as a fad and lacking any skill. This trend will erodethe knowledge base available with them and push them into environmentaland agro-economic crisis, she told Express. Cotton farmers in the state select seed varities depending on advertisements and are driven by marketing strategies rather than weighing whether a particular seed variety is suitable for a particularclimate and soil. Thus, farmers become vulnerable to losses, Kavithaadds. Stone's findings will be forwarded to Genetic Engineering ApprovalCommittee (GEAC), according to her.

GRAND DIVIDE OVER SEATS?

VV Balakrishna
First Published : 23 Feb 2009 05:06:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 23 Feb 2009 03:01:56 PM IST

HYDERABAD: An agreement on seat-sharing among Grand Alliance partners is fast becoming a herculean task with each unwilling to concede ground to the others. Though leaders of the four parties, TDP, TRS, CPI and CPM, assert that there will no problem in hammering out a win-win deal, the question that is haunting everyone is how is it possible if they are in no mood to accommodate each other? And, if the deadlock continues, how can the Grand Alliance remain united? Asked if he is ready to sacrifice his seat in case someone from among the allies stakes a claim for it, TDP general secretary K Srihari’s evasive reply was: “I will ponder over it when such a situation arises.” He, however, hastened to add that seat-sharing would be a smooth affair among the allies.

TRS leader N Narasimha Reddy, on the other hand, claimed there were no differences among the parties over seatsharing.

The interesting part is, though talks among the partners have not yet started officially, the TRS announced unilaterally that it would field its candidates in Kukatpally and Makthal Assembly segments.

Reacting to this, Srihari indicated that the partners would have a series of meetings starting next week. “If any party announced the name of a candidate for any Assembly segment, it would be subject to review by the Grand Alliance leadership,” he clarified.

As per the broad agreement reached, the TDP and TRS will share seats equally in the Telangana region, after giving around 20 Assembly seats to both the Left parties.

The TDP had already started an exercise on Saturday on aspirants in several segments. However, it is cautious enough to skip non-controversial seats.

The situation is likely to become complex in the Telangana region. For example, CPM, CPI and TRS are seeking the newly-created Bhuvanagiri Lok Sabha constituency.

CPI leader S Sudhakar Reddy and CPM leader N Narasimhaiah are vying for it. The TRS wants to field Vijayasanti from the same seat. Sudhakar Reddy said although it was natural for him to demand the seat, ‘‘we will sort out such issues amicably.” In the same manner, the TDP and TRS are pitching for the newly-created Quthbullapur Assembly seat.

According to sources, first, the two Left parties would decide on the seats they want to contest. After the Left parties reach an understanding, the Grand Alliance will start the big exercise which means more headaches and ‘pacification talks.’ If it falls apart, there may be rebels in the fray with active support from the partners of the alliance. A nightmare that all of them would like to avoid.

With IT slowing down, catering sees lean days

VV Balakrishna
First Published : 20 Feb 2009 07:37:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 20 Feb 2009 12:00:20 PM IST
V.Nagaraju was one of the worst sufferers of IT industry’s slowdown. He used to supply lunch to 700 to 1,000 IT employees every day in the city. After the austerity measures in the IT companies, his catering business too was pushed into losses. Now, Nagaraju is selling fruits on the pavements in Madhapur and Film Nagar areas.
Nagaraju (Nathaniel) hails from Kaikalur in Krishna district. He ran a mess on the Eluru Road there. Four years ago he had migrated to Hyderabad and started supplying lunch to employees of Wipro, iLabs, Satyam and other IT giants.
His business flourished with the boom in IT industry. ``I used to earn Rs 10,000 to 12,000 a day,’’ Nagaraju recalls.
Since the downtrend in the IT industry started, Nagaraju too started incurring heavy losses in his business. ``I suffered huge losses for four successive months,’’ he said.
He attributes the decline in his business to the pruning of staff and a 20 percent cut in the salaries by IT companies.
Nagaraju used to supply food for three shifts. A busy bee once, he now awaits anxiously for customers to buy fruits from him.
With the cut in salaries and increase in the working hours from eight to 12 hours, around 50,000 employees in various IT companies migrated to other cities and countries in search of greener pastures, Nagaraju says. "The catering business has lost its flavour.
Just a few employees are now opting for food available outside, that too only once in a day. Earlier, they used to take food outside three times a day. Some employees have started carrying their own lunch-boxes with them.’’.
After suffering heavy losses for four months, Nagaraju thought of shifting to other business. "I sold all my utensils at half the price. I have lost around Rs 1.5 lakh in four months,’’ the once succesful man bemoans.
``I know of at least 12 caterers who changed their line of business.
Some caterers who suffered heavy losses are now selling mirchi bajjis on road margins,’’ he notes.
"I migrated to Hyderabad on account of my mess in Kaikalur not doing well due to the slump in aquaculture.
Now, the IT slowdown has hit my business,’’ he says.
Not wanting to return to his native place as afailed businessman, Nagaraju is determined to stay on in Hyderabad and revive his fortunes. He is now selling fruits in the streets of Madhapur, Jubilee Hills and Film Nagar in a Maruti van. Of the two vans he had, Nagaraju has sold away one out of need. As for his family, they are learnng to live within their means.

Muslim leaders seek BJP support to defeat MIM

Express News Service
First Published : 16 Feb 2009 04:28:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 16 Feb 2009 11:45:12 AM IST

HYDERABAD: Strange it may seem but Muslim leaders from the Old City in Hyderabad are seeking the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the next elections to break the monopoly of the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM).

A delegation of Muslim leaders recently met the State leaders of the BJP in support of the candidature of Urdu daily ‘Siasat’ editor Zahid Ali Khan, who has decided to contest the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat as an independent candidate.

Muslim leaders, who are close to Khan, requested the BJP not to field its candidate from the Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency to avoid division of Hindu votes. The BJP leaders, however, did not open up their mind immediately.

“We hope that the BJP will not field its candidate,” a TDP minority leader from the Old City said.

He analysed that there were 30 per cent Hindus in the Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency. Of the 70 per cent Muslims, around 25 to 30 per cent would support the candidature of Khan, who enjoys the support of the TDP, the TRS, the Left, the MBT and the PRP. If the BJP did not field its candidate, the winning chances of Khan would be better, with the support of the consolidated Hindu votes and the 25 per cent Muslim votes, he added.

The BJP was also trying to defeat the MIM, he recalled.

Saying that the BJP had cleared the names of the Lok Sabha candidates from places like Chevella and Secunderabad and had not taken any decision so far on the candidate for the Hyderabad seat, Khan’s supporters are hopeful of a positive response from the BJP.

Grand Alliance has astrology, lacks ideology'

Express News Service
First Published : 03 Feb 2009 03:46:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 03 Feb 2009 02:20:23 PM IST

HYDERABAD: Dismissing the impact of the Grand Alliance (GA) in the next elections, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy Monday ridiculed its constituents for having no ‘ideology’ but only `astrology’.

He said some parties were banking on the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) without knowing that the TRS base had eroded in the region.

In an informal chat with reporters at the lobbies of the Assembly Monday, Rajasekhara Reddy took potshots at the announcement of the GA based on a ‘muhurtam’ fixed by TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao’s astrologer, albeit in an indirect fashion. Rajasekhara Reddy said, “They (Grand Alliance) have only `siddhantulu’ (astrologers) and do not have any `siddhantalu’ (ideologies)”.

The Chief Minister said the Congress would win more than 240 Assembly seats in the next elections. Till now he had been saying that the Congress would secure 230 seats, but after the formation of the GA, he has increased the tally by 10 seats.

Substantiating his argument, Rajasekhara Reddy said the TRS vote bank was shifting to the the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) in the Telangana region.

He said the TRS was weakened in Assembly segments like Husnabad, Nerella and Ramagundam in Karimnagar district. The TRS vote bank had come down to 4.5 per cent in Nizamabad district. “TRS is non-existent now,” he remarked. He further said the Telangana sentiment and the TRS had no connection. The TRS leadership had already lost its credibility, he added.

On separate Telangana, Rajasekhara Reddy said, “I won’t and can’t express my feelings. I can only repeat the stand announced by the party high command.” On PCC chief D Srinivas’ demand that the Congress should announce its stand on Telangana before the Assembly elections, the Chief Minister said the high command would consider that suggestion too. The party’s stand would be indicated in the manifesto, he said.

On the other hand, the Congress successfully increased its vote bank.

“There is a shift of five to seven per cent positive votes towards the Congress,” he said.

Rajasekhara Reddy also refused to accept that the PRP was strong in five coastal districts. “Of the 68 Assembly seats in Srikakulam to West Godavari districts, the PRP may win eight to ten seats. The TDP can manage three to four seats at the most,” he said. He, however, admitted that some youths from the Kapu caste would be attracted by the PRP. But, it was not the Congress which would at the receiving end. “Kapus are with the TDP in the twin Godavari districts and are with the Congress in Krishna and Guntur,” he reasoned.

The TDP can open its account in the next elections in only one district in Rayalaseema. It could not open its account in other three districts, he said.

He averred that the Congress’ position was strong in Telangana except in parts of Medak and Adilabad districts. He said the Congress was strong in parts of Khammam and Warangal too. He asserted the Congress would win all the 25 Lok Sabha seats in Rayalaseema and Andhra areas. He further said the TDP would get 10 to 15 Assembly in Andhra and Rayalaseema and the PRP would have to be satisfied with ten seats.

Asked about the setback in the recent by-elections to the ZPTCs, the Chief Minister said local factors had been influential. He, however, hastened to add that nothing could be taken lightly in love and war.

2 foreign MPs for Kadapa on fact-finding mission

First Published : 09 Feb 2009 10:39:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 09 Feb 2009 03:18:12 PM IST

HYDERABAD: Two politicians from Germany and Ireland will tour Kadapa district for four days on a fact-finding mission to know the irregularities in the election process.

Ireland Parliament member Fiona O Malley and former member of European Parliament Brigitte Langenhagen will tour Kadapa district, including Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy’s native Pulivendula Assembly segment.

Both the leaders are visiting the country for the first time on a request by Palem Srikanth Reddy, a TDP leader from Kadapa district.

Srikanth Reddy, an NRI who returned to country nine months back, had been active in the TDP and was elected as president of the TSNV, a cell for professionals affiliated to the TDP. Society For Influence Of Professionals On The Political System (SIPOPS), a voluntary organisation, conducted a study on politics in Kadapa district and observed that conduct of elections in the district was characterised by intimidation, influence of money power, harassment of political opponents and misuse of administration. The SIPOPS wanted Malley and Langenhagen to visit Kadapa and give a report.

Speaking to reporters here today, Malley and Langenhagen said they were shocked over the reports in a section of the regional media on Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy’s son Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.

They said though they were active in Election Monitoring Institution, which watched the poll process across the globe, they decided to visit Kadapa district in their individual capacity.

Srikanth Reddy told reporters that he had decided to evaluate the political system in Kadapa district with a third party organisation having international experts.

The team would travel extensively in Kadapa district from February 9 to 12 and submit a report, he said.

He further said he would move the High Court or even the Supreme Court and was even prepared to seek the intervention of the United Nations Organisation (UNO) and human rights groups, based on the report submitted by the two international politicians.

Srikanth Reddy was the aspirant of the Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency from the TDP.

The Congress is likely to field Jagan Mohan Reddy as its candidate from there. Srikanth Reddy, however, said the exercise of evaluating Kadapa politics had nothing to do with the TDP.

Balakrishna to contest from Hindupur

Express News Service First Published : 27 Jan 2009 04:41:00 AM

HYDERABAD: Cine actor Nandamuri Balakrishna is likely to contest for Assembly elections.
Asked wether he is interested in national or State politics, he said: “I want to prove my mettle on the home-turf first.” According to sources, Balakrishna is likely to contest from Hindupur Assembly segment in the coming elections.
Balaiah will launch his election campaign from Hindupur in Anantapur district on January 29. In the first leg of his tour, he will cover Anantapur, Kurnool and Mahaboobnagar districts. After the first round of tour, he will take oneweek break to complete his film shootings.
Later, he will embark on a full-fledged campaign after February 15 without a break till the elections. He is planning to cover the entire State by organising road shows in a specially decorated vehicle.
Balakrishna camapigned for TDP in 1994 elections.
On choosing Hindupur for kick-starting his campaign, Balakrishna told Express: “Hindupur is known as Nandamuripuram”.
His father and TDP founder NT Rama Rao too was elected from the same segment.
Whether he is interested in taking up the party responsibility or want to become the Chief Minister, Balakrishna said: “It is up to the party to decide.” He said he would campaign for the TDP wherever his sister and Union Minister Daggubati Purandhareswari contested . Interestingly, Balakrishna is not a member of the TDP. “I never took the membership of the party till now.” The reason? “TDP is our party,” he remarked.
On Praja Rajayam Party f ounder Chiranjeevi , Balakrishna said: “Chiranjeevi and I are best friends. We met at a marriage function, after the launch of PRP,” he added. He, however, said that the friendship was limited to cinema industry.
Balakrishna will focus on `social justice’, in his poll campaign.
“Social justice was during the TDP regime. TDP has been enjoying the support of all castes,” he pointed out

Spiralling prices Govt's main concern

Express News Service
Hyderabad, February 5

THE issue of spiralling prices of essential commodities is the main concern before the State Government, with elections due in a couple of months. When the State Cabinet met here today to formally approve the Vote-on-Account budget estimates, senior officials of the Finance Department alerted the Council of Ministers about the adverse impact of the spiralling prices of essential commodities.
The worrying factor is that though inflation is more or less under control, the prices of commodities like rice, oil and vegetables have been increasing steadily.
As per the survey of socio-economic trends in the State, which was presented to the Assembly today, the average daily retail prices of rice, redgram, groundnut oil, tamarind and red chillies have shown an increasing trend whereas the prices of onions have shown a decreasing trend from April to November 2008 when compared to the corresponding period in the previous year.
The consumer price indices for different groups like industrial workers, urban non-manual employees and agriculture labour indicate that the prices of essential commodities have shown increase in the State.
However, as per quick estimates of 2007-08, the per capita income of the State at current prices is Rs 35,864 as against the all-India per capita income which is Rs 33,282. During a span of eight years beginning from 2000-01 to 2007-08, the per capita income had more than doubled in the State, the report stated.

Government moots community colleges

Will help working people pursue diploma, degree courses at universities, govt colleges



Express News Service

Hyderabad, February 5:

The State Government today proposed introducing ``community colleges'' by starting evening courses in existing government colleges and universities to enable working persons to pursue diplomas and degrees.

The accent will be on affordability, and flexibility in respect of prior qualifications, age and course load. Finance Minister K Rosaiah, while presenting the vote-on-account budget, said technical education would be expanded by allowing evening polytechnic courses in existing engineering colleges so as to double the diploma seats in the State, and by increasing, in phases, the industrial training institutions (ITIs) with the objective of ensuring one per Assembly constituency.

In addition, significant quality upgradation of graduate education will be brought about by enabling broadband connectivity to all graduate colleges in the State. The Government will encourage college managements to give popular lectures through live broadcast/webcast to Statewide audiences.

The total allocation to higher education is Rs 2,383 crore as against Rs 1,501 crore in 2008-09.

Rosaiah's presents budget for 14th time

Highest-ever in the country



Express News Service
Hyderabad, February 5

Finance Minister K Rosaiah today created a record of sorts in the country by presenting highest number of budgets in the Assembly. Rosaiah's today Vote on Account Budget is the 14th one, highest any Finance Minister at the Centre or State ever presented as on date.
An extremely talented politician, Rosaiah had good oratory skills and gift of the gab. He is known for his quick wit and repartee. A man who never dabbles in the group politics for which the Congress is known for, Rosaiah served under several chief ministers without any problem. In fact every Congress Chief Minister was eager to enlist his services. With his native wit and razor sharp logic, Rosaiah would always come to the rescue of his bosses and knew how to wriggle out of a difficult situation with ease.
Perhaps this quality had made him stay put as minister from 1989 to 2004, though the Chief Minister changed at regular intervals.
Rosaiah started his political innings, interestingly, not under the Congress, but under the legendary Chakravarthula Rajagopalachari's Swatantra Party. During the first stint of M Channa Reddy as chief Minister in 1978, Rosaiah was in the Opposition. He along with the then young leaders S Jaipal Reddy, M Venkaiah Naidu, formed a trio that made Channa Reddy's life miserable in the Legislative Council.
He joined the Congress Party later. He was also a member of the Legislative Council in early 80s. It is often said that when NT Rama Rao became the chief minister in 1984, he abolished the Legislative Council unable to face Rosaiah in the council.

Global meltdown casts shadow on budget

Allocations to key sectors cut down

Express News Service
Hyderabad, February 5

The global meltdown has cast a shadow on the vote-on-account presented by Finance Minister K Rosaiah to the State Assembly today.
With exports coming down and the impending danger of foreigners withdrawing from the businesses here, the Finance Minister adopted `realistic' approach while presenting the budget.
As a result, the allocations to key sectors has come down moderately in 2009-10 budget compared to 2008-09. The allocations to irrigation sector come down to Rs 14,000 crore from 16,500 crore. The allocations to Housing scheme in the latest budget was Rs 5,000 crore against the Rs 5,850 crore in 2008-09.
However, Rosaiah has the credit that the State Government could carry on its fiscal management without having to resort to `ways and means and advances or the over draft facility even once during the last five years, which was a matter of routine during the nine-year TDP rule.
``The greatest achievement of the State Government is to restore the fiscal health of the State,'' Rosaiah claimed. He said that the State had already met the targets set in the AP FRBM Act, 2005. The State earned revenue surplus for the year 2006-07 and 2007-08. As per the latest report of RBI on State finances for the year 2008-09, the State stood first in the country in respect of its allocation on plan, development, social sector and capital expenditures.
Credit deposit ratio of the banking system in the State increased from 62.8 per cent to 95 per cent from September 2003 to September 2008.
Speaking to reporters later, Rosaiah expressed apprehension that FDIs and FIIs would be reduced drastically due to the economic recession. He, however, exuded confidence that the situation would be reversed within six months and economy would revive, when the new Government presented the full budget after elections. By that time, the State would also get its share from the Centre's aid of Rs 20,000 crore to States, he said. There were also other dues from the Centre to State, he said.
Though the Finance Minister wanted to step up the plan expenditure, he could not do it. As he could not cut the non-plan expenditure like interim relief announced to Government staff. Though the State Government expected Rs 12,500 crore from land slae and other it could get only Rs 5,000 crore till date. The projected income from land sale in 2009-10 was only Rs 5,000 crore.
Despite no hopes of new income, the subsidies to PDS scheme increased from Rs 1,980 to Rs 3,000 crore and to power sector from Rs 2,385 crore to Rs 5,040 crore.


Allocation to various sectors (Rs in crore).

Sector --- 2008-09 --- 2009-10
Irrigation -- 16,500 14,000
Housing 5,850 5,000
Panchayat Raj and Rural development - 3,830 4,505
Education 1,771 1,751
Medical and Health 1,315 - 1,214
Agri and allied sectors 2,277 - 1,415
Infrastructure 1,914 - 1,461
Energy 363 - 753
Labour and employment 177 - 101
Plg dept 1,210 - 692
Social Welfare 1,293 - 1,159
Tribal welfare 440 - 405
BC welfare 353 - 1,010
Minority welfare 177 - 177
Women and Child welfare 656 - 638
IT 397 -- 333

Rosaiah presents Rs 1.05 lakh crore budget

Express News Service

Hyderabad, February 5

In an exercise to strike a balance between the economic recession and next elections, Finance Minister K Rosaiah today presented the Rs 1.05 lakh crore vote-on-account budget for the year 2009-10. In the budget prepared for six months, Rosaiah reduced allocations to several key sectors, however tried to please students, weaker-sections, farmers and women by announcing new sops for them.

Though Rosaiah termed it a `realistic' budget during the trying times, the budget gave thrust to `social justice' formula with an eye on elections. Though the State was under the impact of an unprecedented global slowdown, Rosaiah exuded confidence that the State could still achieve an eight per cent growth.

As this was the final budget presented by the present government, Rosaiah announced several new schemes in his budget speech. The Government already took a decision to introduce contributory pension scheme for SHG women with members contributing Rs 365 per year and an equal amount by the Government. Every women member would get Rs 500 per month upon attaining the age of 60. An amount of Rs 365 crore was allocated for this in the budget.

Rosaiah said the Government wanted to provide interest subsidy on loans for higher stdies abroad for children of members of Indira Kranti Patham (IKP). A provision of Rs one crore is made for the same in the budget.

The fee reimbursement scheme for students would be extended to economically backward sections apart from SC,BC and STs from 2009. A provision of Rs 370 crore is made in budget.

The State Government which has written-off Rs 1,820 crore loans of weaker-sections, has decided to introduce a new scheme for assistance for income generating activities by contributing 50 per cent subsidy to all categories of SC,ST, BC, minorities, women and the disabled. The remaining 50 per cent would be given as bank loan.

Rosaiah also proposed a one-time write-off of loans sanctioned to weavers' cooperative societies and individual weavers under PMRY and Rajiv Yuva Shakti schemes. A sum of Rs 312 crore was earmarked in the budget. The Finance Minister announced that ``community college'' concept would be introduced to enhance the employability of youth. Under this, the State will start evening courses in leading to diploma or degree for working people. It was proposed to start evening polytechnic courses in the existing engineering colleges and one ITI in every Assembly constituency.

Rosaiah said that the facility of drawing salaries through treasury would be extended even to municipal employees from April, 2009. On agriculture sector, Rosaiah said that the State achieved 47 per cent increase in foodgrain's production against the target of 40 per cent and 7.13 agricultural growth against the target of 6 per cent per year. Of the total budget, the expenditure under non-plan would be Rs 63,252 crore and plan expenditure would be Rs 41,892. The fiscal deficit is estimated to be Rs 12,092 crore, which would be 2.93 per cent of GSDP.

HIGHLIGHTS

* Budget size: Rs 1,05,144 crore
* Fee reimbursement to EBC students
* Loans at 50 per cent subsidy to weaker-sections for income generating activities.
* Waiver of loans taken by weavers
* Community college for employability and night colleges to hone up skill.
* Salaries to municipal employees through treasury
* Interest subsidy to wards of IKP members for higher studies

Six stars seek earthly support

VV Balakrishna
First Published : 04 Feb 2009 03:34:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 04 Feb 2009 12:16:05 PM IST

HYDERABAD: As many as six faces from the tinsel world will seek the support of voters — for themselves as well as for their respective parties — in the coming elections.

Apart from leading campaigners like the TDP’s Balakrishna and PRP founder Chiranjeevi, film personalities like RK Roja, Kavitha, Vijayasanti and UV Krishnam Raju have decided to enter the fray. Roja, who is Telugu Mahila president, has been cleared by the TDP for the Chandragiri Assembly segment in Chittoor district. She had unsuccessfully contested the Nagiri segment on the TDP ticket in the 2004 elections.

Balakrishna is likely to enter the fray in the Hindupur Assembly segment in Anantapur district. Chiranjeevi has already announced that he would contest both Tirupati Chittoor) and Mummidivaram (East Godavari) Assembly segments.

Another newcomer to the rough and tumble of electoral politics is Kavitha, who joined TDP recently. She was cleared by the party leadership for the Visakhapatnam-I Assembly segment.

Meanwhile, veteran actor and former MP Krishnam Raju has decided to contest once again from the Narasapur Lok Sabha segment on the BJP ticket. Another veteran film personality and BJP leader Naresh has been preparing the ground for some time now to fight for the Hindupur Lok Sabha seat. However, it is not sure whether he will actually take the step and square off with Balakrishna.

Vijayasanti aka Lady Amitabh, who joined TRS recently, is likely to contest a Lok Sabha seat on TRS ticket in Telangana region. For its part, the Congress too may give tickets to some film artistes.

Popular comedian Dharmavarapu Subrahmanyam may enter the fray in any one of the Assembly segments in Guntur district.

And hero of yesteryear and businessman Murali Mohan has expressed his willingness to contest on a TDP ticket. D Ramanaidu, cine producer and ex-TDP MP, is again moving closer to TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu. Any one of his family may plunge into electoral politics from Prakasam district this time. It was when NTR founded the TDP in 1982 that film personalities began foraying into State politics, and the bond between Tollywood and politics is now over a quarter century old. K Satyanarayana (Machilipatnam LS), K Srinivasa Rao (Vijayawada East), D Ramanaidu (Bapatla LS), Sarada (Tenali LS ), Babumohan (Andhol) and G Krishna (Eluru LS) have served as public representatives over these years.

TDP may contest over 205 Assembly, 27 LS seats

VV Balakrishna
First Published : 02 Feb 2009 04:20:00 AM IST


HYDERABAD: Though the four partners of the newly-formed Grand Alliance (GA) have not yet arrived at the exact number of seats each party should contest in the next elections, the Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is likely to contest around 205 to 215 seats, leaving the rest to the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), the CPM and the CPI. According to a broad un derstanding reached among all the four parties in the GA before announcing its formation, the Left parties will contest 20 Assembly seats each.

Of the 294 Assembly seats in the State, the two Left parties — the CPM and the CPI — will contest ten seats each in Telangana and ten each in Andhra. Of the 119 Assembly seats in the Telangana re-gion, around 2 0 seat s would be left to the Left parties.

In the remaining 99, one or two Assembly seats would be given to the MBT in the Old City area of Hyderabad.

The remaining seats would be shared between the TRS and the TDP. It means, the TRS and the TDP would get around 49 Assembly seats each in the Telangana region. According to TDP sources, ultimately the TDP would get one or two seats more than the TRS.

In the 175 Assembly seats in Andhra and Rayalaseema areas, the TDP would contest around 155 to 160 seats. As far as Lok Sabha seats are concerned, the TDP may field its candidates in 30 seats. Of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the State, 17 seats are in Telangana and 25 seats are in Andhra and Rayalaseema regions. The TRS is demanding ten seats and the Left parties would contest one each in Telangana region.

The Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat would be given to Urdu daily ‘Siasat’ editor Zahid Ali Khan, who will contest as an independent candidate. The Left parties would also seek one Lok Sabha seat each in Andhra. The main Opposition party would have to be content with 27 Lok Sabha seats.

“Till now, there is only a broad understanding on seat-sharing. At the discussion table, the numbers may change slightly,” said a TDP leader. Though the partners of the GA will arrive at a final figure soon, they are unlikely to announce the names of the segments immediately to avoid ugly scenes within the parties.

“Once we announce which party would contest which seat, there will be trouble. Those leaders who are sure that they would not get tickets may switch their loyalties to either the PRP or the Congress,” a leader said.

So, the partners of the GA will maintain secrecy till the election notification is issued. The TDP may witness big trouble in Telangana region over seat-sharing with the TRS.

vvbalakrishna@epmltd.com