Not a cakewalk for Congress in AP

VV Balakrishna
First Published : 01 Mar 2009 02:41:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 02 Mar 2009 02:56:06 PM IST

HYDERABAD: Definitely development is the path to power for Congress in the next elections.

But, it is not a smooth ride. The journey will be a bumpy one, as the path is partly covered with thorns such as corruption, anti-incumbency against local MLAs, price rise and the separate Telangana factor.

It is the sum up of opinions expressed by a cross-section of the people who attended the AICC president Sonia Gandhi’s public meeting here today.

A majority people said that they would vote for Congress next time too.

But, some others were not sure whether to vote Congress or to look for any other alternative. The main advantage of Congress in the State is the various developmental and welfare schemes launched by Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy.

“Rajasekhara Reddy did a lot of good to all of us,” admitted a majority of those attended the meeting. Kummari Venkataiah of Kosti mandal in Mahaboobnagar district heaped praises on Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, as his village got innumerable benefits like housing and pensions unlike in the TDP regime.

Lakshmamma from Hayathnagar said: “I am regularly getting Rs 200 pension every month. I will vote for Congress.” Yeleti Agireddy, a farmer from Gundala in Nalgonda district said that he would support Congress for getting loan waiver to him and his wife securing a loan at 25 paisa interest. Another farmer from the same village thanked the Congress for introducing `drought works’ (NREGS) and introducing Rs-2-a-kg-rice scheme. But, coming to separate Telangana factor, the farmer is doubtful whether Congress will realise the longcherished dream.

Sixty-year-old Ramulamma of Tallur in Shabad mandal in Rangareddy district opined that all is well with the Congress.

But, she could not digest the fact that she is not a beneficiary under any scheme.

Mogulamma from Tallur alleged that though she was eligible for house and a pension the local sarpanch refused to include her name.

“Those who are close to sarpanch got all the benefits,” she alleged. Though happy with the subsidised rice scheme, she was angry over the spiralling prices of other commodities.

Ramulaiah from Bhongiri said that the Congress functioning was good. He, however, argued that the Congress would not give Telangana. “I want Telangana. I will decided later whom to vote. If Congress convinced me on T-issue. It is okay,” he added.

Sankar, from Pinnavooru in Home Minister K Jana Reddy’s constituency is dissatisfied with Jana’s performance. “If non-performing MLAs are replaced, the Congress will benefit,” he said.

Babu Goud, another youth, from Zaheerabad, said that Chandrababu Naidu too did some good things. Now, Rajasekhara Reddy did some other. “It is not possible for any party to fill all the aspirations.” But, asked about the influence of Praja Rajyam the response from the majority was in negative.

“Politics is not as easy as acting in films,” said Rambabu.