Babu to tread on Jagan’s turf today

VV Balakrishna
Express News Service
First Published : 14 Feb 2011 03:55:41 AM IST
Last Updated : 14 Feb 2011 09:02:43 AM IST

HYDERABAD: For the first time after YS Jagan Mohan Reddy quit the Congress, Opposition leader N Chandrababu Naidu is embarking on a two-day tour of the former Kadapa MP's home turf. Naidu will hold road shows in several villages in Kadapa district, including Pulivendula, Vempalle and Kadapa, considered the strongholds of Jagan.

Though Naidu's tour is ostensibly to interact with farmers in the district, it is aimed at targeting not only Jagan Mohan Reddy but also YS Vivekananda Reddy, the Agricultural Minister. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is expecting to gain in the forthcoming by-elections to the Pulivendula Assembly and Kadapa Lok Sabha seats, as the Congress vote now stands split due to the Jagan factor.

TDP leaders are expecting that Chiranjeevi, who joined the Congress, would influence voters to some extent and help strengthen the Congress base. Which means the Jagan Mohan Reddy camp will be weakened, though marginally, in the district.

Naidu will first visit Ankalamma temple in Gudur in the district and offer special prayers. Later, the road show would commence in Pulivendula at 11.45 am on Monday. At 7 pm, Naidu will reach Vempalle. On Tuesday, Naidu will start the road show at 10 am in Kadapa town.

Recently, Naidu thwarted a bid by YS Vivekananda Reddy to lure TDP leader Satish Reddy into the Congress fold. Satish Reddy along with other senior leaders is working overtime to ensure that Naidu's road show becomes a huge draw as it will serve as the TDP show of strength ahead of bypoll.

Naidu will cover Pulivendula, Jammalamadugu and Mydukur Assembly segments in his two-day tour.

The TDP's position in Pulivendula and Mydukur has not improved much while the situation in Mydukru is not encouraging either with the exit of Raghuramireddy, who joined the Jagan camp recently.

Meanwhile, Jagan Mohan Reddy is concentrating on the launch of his party and the coming by-elections. He is unwilling to field his candidates in the immediate elections to the Legislative Council.

Elections are due for the Rayalaseema Graduates and Teachers' constituencies. The TDP is fielding M Venkatarami Reddy from the Graduates' constituency.