VV Balakrishna
4/22/2009 3:02:00 AM IST
KUPPAM: Alleging that the Congress was resorting to all kinds of irregularities in his native Kuppam Assembly constituency, Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu today gave a stern waring to Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy not to play disruptive politics in Kuppam.
Naidu, for the first time in 20 years, participated in an election meeting in Kuppam today to give moral support to his party workers who complained to him about `goondaism’ of Congress.
Naidu, along with actor Balakrishna, participated in an election rally in the town, which turned out to be a virtual show of strength of the TDP.
An emotionally-charged Naidu wanted Kuppam voters to reject the `money, silver ornaments, liquor’ offered by rivals and support him for a model Kuppam to develop and improvement of conditions in the State.
``Congress leaders are terrorising people in Kuppam.
They even stocked huge quantities of liquor bottles,’’ Naidu alleged. ``Brothers, be vigilant for two more days. Do not fall prey to the decpetive policies of Congress,’’ Naidu appealed to voters.
``I am addressing an election meeting for the first time in Kuppam. Though you requested me to concentrate on other segments I have come here to give moral support to you. The Congress is trying to reduce the polling percentage in the segment. Ensure a huge turnout on the polling day and tell the Congress that that we will protect democracy in Kuppam. Do not be scared of Congress divisive politics. I will protect your lives,’’ Naidu said.
He also appealed to voters to send him to the Assembly for the fifth time with a huge majority. ``I contested from Kuppam for the first time in 1989. The winning margin has been increasing in election after election. Ensure a bigger victory margin this time,’’ he urged the voters.
Naidu addressing an election meeting in Kuppam assumed significance as the Congress has steadily gained ground in the segment in the last five years. ``In earlier elections, no one was seen holding a Congress flag in the segment. But this time Congress leaders are even organising rallies,’’ Ramesh, a local, said.
While the Congress claims that the developmental schemes helped the party improve its position in the segment, TDP workers allege that the Congress is resorting to all sorts of machinations like threatening TDP workers and foisting cases on them.
In the wake of these allegations, Naidu said at the meeting: ``Kuppam voters stand for honesty. The need of police intervention did not arise in the last 20 years. But Rajasekhara Reddy is nursing a grudge against Kuppam voters.
I told Rajasekhara Reddy in the Assembly that if he had any grudge against me, settle scores with me but do not target the Kuppam people and spoil the harmonious atmoshphere there,’’ Naidu said.
``Be careful about Congress leaders. If TDP activists retaliated, no Congress leader would remain in Kuppam,’’ TDP chief warned.
``I never bore grudge against the chief minister’s constituency, Pulivendula.
But whenever Congress came to power in the State they neglected Kuppam,’’ Naidu said and assured to compensate that loss in the next five years.
``I will tour Kuppam first as chief minister. The election is just a formality, the Grand Alliance is all set to win the elections,’’ he said drawing a loud applause.
He alleged that deletion of V Kota mandal from the Kuppam segment was the handiwork of the Congress as it wanted to reduce his victory margin in Kuppam segment and win the Chittoor Lok Sabha seat.
Alleging that the zilla parishad chairman, who had a only a scooter, amassed crores of rupees, Naidu said Rajasekhara Reddy made around 3,000 such leaders in the State by encouraging corruption.
The TDP, if voted to power, would unearth all the ill-gotten wealth of Congress leaders including Rajasekhara Reddy, he said.
Balakrishna and TDP Chittoor Lok Sabha candidate N Sivaprasad also spoke.
vvbalakrishna@epmltd.com
Showing posts with label ap elections-2009. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ap elections-2009. Show all posts
Thursday, 17 December 2009
Thursday, 1 October 2009
Left, TDP and TRS see council polls as unity test case
Joint MeetinG: CPI State secretary K Narayana and CPM State secretary B V Raghavulu sharing a lighter moment at a joint meeting of the Left parties in
V V Balakrishna
First Published : 05 Jan 2009 12:00:19 PM IST
Last Updated :
HYDERABAD: As a prelude to seat-sharing in the next Assembly elections, the Left-TDP-TRS combine is considering elections to the Legislative Council as a rehearsal for them.
All the four parties have come to a broad understanding on alliances in the Council elections, likely to be held in March.
The elections were necessitated for two Graduate seats, as TRS MLC K Dilip resigned and the term of another MLC K Nageswar would expire soon.
The four parties will support the same candidates in the elections.
At a coordination meeting held at the CPM office here today, the Left parties decided to support the two candidates.
The coordination meeting was attended by CPM State secretary BV Raghavulu and CPI state secretary K Narayana.
The Left meetings will discuss the seat-sharing issue for the Assembly elections in their next meeting, according to a CPI leader.
As the TRS has almost decided to join the TDP-Left combine, it is expected to make an announcement before the notification is issued for the Council elections. The Left parties also made it clear that they would not demand more number of seats from allies, if the TRS too joined their combine.
According to sources, the Left and the TDP would have a joint meeting after Sankranti on the seat-sharing issue. In the meantime, the Left leaders decided to launch joint agitations along with the TDP and the TRS on various issues, including `Big Fish scam’.
The Left leaders will meet TDP and TRS leaders on January 10 on Council elections.
Today’s Left meeting opined that the Government weaknesses were exposed in the recent ZPTC elections. The resignations of two ministers were indicative of the fact that Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy had lost his conf idenc e to f ac e the next elections.
CPM State secretary BV Raghavulu said the Congress’ defeat was inevitable in the next elections. CPI State secretary K Narayana said countdown had started for the end of Rajasekhara Reddy’s misrule.
KCR’s ‘weak’lings, Grand weak links
By VV Balakrishna
30 Mar 2009
HYDERABAD: Resentment is brewing in the TRS and the TDP camps over TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao’s choice of candidates in some Assembly and Lok Sabha segments as they are seen to be ‘‘financially sound but politically weak.’’ Sources said the TDP Telangana leaders, already frustrated with the TRS for seeking seats that are considered TDP bastions, are now furious that the pink party has fielded ‘weak’ candidates in constituencies where the TDP is quite strong.
This perception of ‘weak contestants’ has led to widespread rumours that only those, who had loads of money, were considered for party tickets by the TRS leadership.
Chandrasekhara Rao denied the same vehemently in Medak on Sunday and even went to the extent of saying that he would rather chop his head rather than bow it in shame. The suspicion that only the filthy rich were considered for party tickets gained ground after the reported confession (in a section of press) of a candidate that he had paid Rs 10 crore to secure the Secunderabad ticket. Of the 45 Assembly and nine Lok Sabha seats for which the TRS has announced candidates, it fielded ‘weak’ candidates in over 12 Assembly and four Lok Sabha seats. TRS leaders too are admitting this in private.
The ‘weak’ candidates of TRS, according to party sources, are M Sudarshana Rao (Kukatpally Assembly), K Yadagiri Reddy (Alair), R Kanakaiah (Manthani), M Yadagiri Reddy (Uppal), K Prabhakar Reddy (Maheswaram).
The TRS also fielded a weak candidate AS Posetti in Nizamabad urban. Posetti is taking on PCC chief D Srinivas. Interestingly, former minister A Chandrasekhar did not want to stand again in his home turf Vikarabad, as he is sure of losing it to the Congress.
But, the TRS leadership has forced him to.
30 Mar 2009
HYDERABAD: Resentment is brewing in the TRS and the TDP camps over TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao’s choice of candidates in some Assembly and Lok Sabha segments as they are seen to be ‘‘financially sound but politically weak.’’ Sources said the TDP Telangana leaders, already frustrated with the TRS for seeking seats that are considered TDP bastions, are now furious that the pink party has fielded ‘weak’ candidates in constituencies where the TDP is quite strong.
This perception of ‘weak contestants’ has led to widespread rumours that only those, who had loads of money, were considered for party tickets by the TRS leadership.
Chandrasekhara Rao denied the same vehemently in Medak on Sunday and even went to the extent of saying that he would rather chop his head rather than bow it in shame. The suspicion that only the filthy rich were considered for party tickets gained ground after the reported confession (in a section of press) of a candidate that he had paid Rs 10 crore to secure the Secunderabad ticket. Of the 45 Assembly and nine Lok Sabha seats for which the TRS has announced candidates, it fielded ‘weak’ candidates in over 12 Assembly and four Lok Sabha seats. TRS leaders too are admitting this in private.
The ‘weak’ candidates of TRS, according to party sources, are M Sudarshana Rao (Kukatpally Assembly), K Yadagiri Reddy (Alair), R Kanakaiah (Manthani), M Yadagiri Reddy (Uppal), K Prabhakar Reddy (Maheswaram).
The TRS also fielded a weak candidate AS Posetti in Nizamabad urban. Posetti is taking on PCC chief D Srinivas. Interestingly, former minister A Chandrasekhar did not want to stand again in his home turf Vikarabad, as he is sure of losing it to the Congress.
But, the TRS leadership has forced him to.
Will the Grand Alliance bring home the bacon?
HYDERABAD: It seems that all the figures are in favour of the recently formed Grand Alliance, whose main aim is to defeat the Congress. But, the picture is not as rosy as it appears on paper.
The ground realities are otherwise.
The fight among the four partners of Grand Alliance over the number of seats is still continuing. TDP, TRS, CPM and CPI are yet to resolve the issue of whom to contest in which seat. The Grand Alliance partners, also dropped the proposal of holding a joint public meeting due to lack of time for arrangements.
Though a TDP politburo member asserted that there would be joint-meetings in the districts, it is not clear whether the partners, especially, the TDP and TRS will share a common dais during the election campaign.
There is also a big danger of several prominent leaders from all the four parties switching loyalties to other parties in the event of their losing their own seats due to alliance among the four parties.
The new friendship is causing more despondency than delight among the leaders of the alliance. In view of all these, the Grand Alliance is yet to make an impact on the people of the State.
On the other hand, differences are cropping up in the CPM in its traditional bastion Khammam district. The other worry is whether the leadership of four parties are capable of transferring their traditional votes to others after seat-adjustment.
The elections to local bodies was a bitter experience for the TDP and the CPM. The CPM votes were transferred to the TDP, but TDP voters ditched CPM candidates in Visakhapatnam Corporation elections. At the hustings, the Alliance partners will have to face trouble from rebels and cross voting by own party leaders.
Several TDP leaders are ready to ensure the defeat of the TRS and the Left leaders in case the TDP allotted a particular seats to them.
The moot question is: Will the mixing of - yellow, pink and red - present a vibrant rainbow for the Alliance leaders or leave them red faced? However, the TDP and Left leaders have been repeatedly asserting that they would come out with flying colours in the next elections and everything would go well with the Grand Alliance.
ONE GOAL :To regain power in the State.
TWO STATES :TDP declared that it had no objection to the State’s bifurcation.
THREE STARS :Balakrishna, NTR Jr and Vijayasanti to campaign for the Grand Alliance.
FOUR PARTIES : TDP, TRS, CPM and CPI formed into Grand Alliance.
50 PER CENT :Votes the leaders are expecting to get in the polls.
200 PROMISES :Given by TDP to voters, including distribution of CTVs.
Rs 2,000 :The amount to be deposited in the bank accounts of the poor by the TDP Government through Cash Transfer Scheme.
The ground realities are otherwise.
The fight among the four partners of Grand Alliance over the number of seats is still continuing. TDP, TRS, CPM and CPI are yet to resolve the issue of whom to contest in which seat. The Grand Alliance partners, also dropped the proposal of holding a joint public meeting due to lack of time for arrangements.
Though a TDP politburo member asserted that there would be joint-meetings in the districts, it is not clear whether the partners, especially, the TDP and TRS will share a common dais during the election campaign.
There is also a big danger of several prominent leaders from all the four parties switching loyalties to other parties in the event of their losing their own seats due to alliance among the four parties.
The new friendship is causing more despondency than delight among the leaders of the alliance. In view of all these, the Grand Alliance is yet to make an impact on the people of the State.
On the other hand, differences are cropping up in the CPM in its traditional bastion Khammam district. The other worry is whether the leadership of four parties are capable of transferring their traditional votes to others after seat-adjustment.
The elections to local bodies was a bitter experience for the TDP and the CPM. The CPM votes were transferred to the TDP, but TDP voters ditched CPM candidates in Visakhapatnam Corporation elections. At the hustings, the Alliance partners will have to face trouble from rebels and cross voting by own party leaders.
Several TDP leaders are ready to ensure the defeat of the TRS and the Left leaders in case the TDP allotted a particular seats to them.
The moot question is: Will the mixing of - yellow, pink and red - present a vibrant rainbow for the Alliance leaders or leave them red faced? However, the TDP and Left leaders have been repeatedly asserting that they would come out with flying colours in the next elections and everything would go well with the Grand Alliance.
ONE GOAL :To regain power in the State.
TWO STATES :TDP declared that it had no objection to the State’s bifurcation.
THREE STARS :Balakrishna, NTR Jr and Vijayasanti to campaign for the Grand Alliance.
FOUR PARTIES : TDP, TRS, CPM and CPI formed into Grand Alliance.
50 PER CENT :Votes the leaders are expecting to get in the polls.
200 PROMISES :Given by TDP to voters, including distribution of CTVs.
Rs 2,000 :The amount to be deposited in the bank accounts of the poor by the TDP Government through Cash Transfer Scheme.
Wednesday, 9 September 2009
Parties dish out unfair deal to fair sex
Parties dish out unfair deal to fair sex
V V BalakrishnaFirst Published : 02 Apr 2009 03:51:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 02 Apr 2009 12:59:18 PM IST
HYDERABAD: All the political parties in the State have adopted an unfair approach towards the fairer sex in the elections, if one goes by the list of the candidates finalised so far for the elections to the Lok Sabha and the Assembly.
Albeit their tall talk of providing 33 per cent reservations to women in legislative bodies and extending support to a Bill in the Parliament if women’s reservation bill is introduced, the major political parties, in practice, seem to be higly gender-biased.
The Congress is a shade better than others: it gave five Lok Sabha seats to women, including D Purandeswari, B Jhansi, Renuka Chowdury and Panabaka Lakshmi. Heroines R K Roja and Vijayasanti are in the Grand Alliance list.
The Congress fielded 33 women candidates instead of providing 33 per cent seats for the Assembly, while the TDP came with a poor 17 seats. There are four women in the TDP list for the Lok Sabha. The TRS fielded no woman for the Assembly but allotted only one Lok Sabha seat for Vijayasanti.
The Opposition TDP, which always reposed faith in women voters for victory, ignored them this time, as the party “cannot take risk” in the current elections as they are crucial for the party. The party searched for `winning horses’ but it did not include many women. The Praja Rajyam Party (PRP), the Lok Satta Party (LSP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) too gave less priority to women in the Assembly elections. The same is the case with the Left parties. Even if the parties have allotted tickets to women, they are either seasoned politicians or relatives of senior leaders. Very few women who are fresh to public life found a place in the lists of parties.
“When I approached the TDP for a ticket, a politburo member told me that the party could not take a risk this time,” an aspirant and former MLA Katragadda Prasuna said. In the 2004 elections, the TDP gave more number of seats to women. “The party leaders told me that they could not take a chance this time like in the 2004 elections,” Prasuna said. Reason? This was going to be a fiercely fought election and winning every Assembly seat was a must to form the next government.
“As the parties were hunting for winning horses, women candidates did not get tickets,” a TDP woman leader said.
The situation in the TRS is very strange. Not a single woman finds a place in the Pink party’s list for the Assembly.
The TRS has fielded only one woman candidate -- Vijayashanti -- for the Lok Sabha. “I too feel bad that not many women have got seats,” actress and TRS secretary general Vijayashanti said. “Due to alliances, women could not get many seats in the Grand Alliance,” she added.
V V BalakrishnaFirst Published : 02 Apr 2009 03:51:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 02 Apr 2009 12:59:18 PM IST
HYDERABAD: All the political parties in the State have adopted an unfair approach towards the fairer sex in the elections, if one goes by the list of the candidates finalised so far for the elections to the Lok Sabha and the Assembly.
Albeit their tall talk of providing 33 per cent reservations to women in legislative bodies and extending support to a Bill in the Parliament if women’s reservation bill is introduced, the major political parties, in practice, seem to be higly gender-biased.
The Congress is a shade better than others: it gave five Lok Sabha seats to women, including D Purandeswari, B Jhansi, Renuka Chowdury and Panabaka Lakshmi. Heroines R K Roja and Vijayasanti are in the Grand Alliance list.
The Congress fielded 33 women candidates instead of providing 33 per cent seats for the Assembly, while the TDP came with a poor 17 seats. There are four women in the TDP list for the Lok Sabha. The TRS fielded no woman for the Assembly but allotted only one Lok Sabha seat for Vijayasanti.
The Opposition TDP, which always reposed faith in women voters for victory, ignored them this time, as the party “cannot take risk” in the current elections as they are crucial for the party. The party searched for `winning horses’ but it did not include many women. The Praja Rajyam Party (PRP), the Lok Satta Party (LSP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) too gave less priority to women in the Assembly elections. The same is the case with the Left parties. Even if the parties have allotted tickets to women, they are either seasoned politicians or relatives of senior leaders. Very few women who are fresh to public life found a place in the lists of parties.
“When I approached the TDP for a ticket, a politburo member told me that the party could not take a risk this time,” an aspirant and former MLA Katragadda Prasuna said. In the 2004 elections, the TDP gave more number of seats to women. “The party leaders told me that they could not take a chance this time like in the 2004 elections,” Prasuna said. Reason? This was going to be a fiercely fought election and winning every Assembly seat was a must to form the next government.
“As the parties were hunting for winning horses, women candidates did not get tickets,” a TDP woman leader said.
The situation in the TRS is very strange. Not a single woman finds a place in the Pink party’s list for the Assembly.
The TRS has fielded only one woman candidate -- Vijayashanti -- for the Lok Sabha. “I too feel bad that not many women have got seats,” actress and TRS secretary general Vijayashanti said. “Due to alliances, women could not get many seats in the Grand Alliance,” she added.
Zing missing at NTR Bhavan
Zing missing at NTR Bhavan
V V BalakrishnaFirst Published : 25 Apr 2009 08:10:24 AM ISTLast Updated :
HYDERABAD: Though the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) claimed that the Grand Alliance would get absolute majority, the mood at the party office was somewhat sullen today.
Except a few senior leaders like K Yerran Naidu and N Janardhan Reddy, no one turned up at the party office. The party activists yesterday had burst firecrackers.
But, there was not much activity in front of the NTR Bhavan today.
However, the party leaders were hoping that the Cash Transfer Scheme (CTS) would work wonders for the TDP.
The party backroom boys were engaged in a constituency-wise analysis on how the party had fared in the segments.
After analysing the poll trends in the 294 Assembly segments, they felt that the large turnout of women voters would help the party form the next government.
They felt that though the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) would get some votes from the youth, the TDP would also get a considerable share of votes from the youth.
The party leaders, however, were not sure of how first-time voters might have reacted this time. They felt most of the first-timers might have voted for the Lok Satta Party or the PRP while a few of them might have voted for the TDP.
After heated discussions, the party leaders ultimately put up a brave face and opined that the Grand Alliance would form the government.
Most of the candidates who campaigned vigorously in the hot summer were seen taking rest to overcome the tension over the outcome.
V V BalakrishnaFirst Published : 25 Apr 2009 08:10:24 AM ISTLast Updated :
HYDERABAD: Though the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) claimed that the Grand Alliance would get absolute majority, the mood at the party office was somewhat sullen today.
Except a few senior leaders like K Yerran Naidu and N Janardhan Reddy, no one turned up at the party office. The party activists yesterday had burst firecrackers.
But, there was not much activity in front of the NTR Bhavan today.
However, the party leaders were hoping that the Cash Transfer Scheme (CTS) would work wonders for the TDP.
The party backroom boys were engaged in a constituency-wise analysis on how the party had fared in the segments.
After analysing the poll trends in the 294 Assembly segments, they felt that the large turnout of women voters would help the party form the next government.
They felt that though the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) would get some votes from the youth, the TDP would also get a considerable share of votes from the youth.
The party leaders, however, were not sure of how first-time voters might have reacted this time. They felt most of the first-timers might have voted for the Lok Satta Party or the PRP while a few of them might have voted for the TDP.
After heated discussions, the party leaders ultimately put up a brave face and opined that the Grand Alliance would form the government.
Most of the candidates who campaigned vigorously in the hot summer were seen taking rest to overcome the tension over the outcome.
TDP may fare well only in 3 dists of Andhra, R’seema
V V BalakrishnaFirst Published : 04 May 2009 08:21:22 AM ISTLast Updated : 04 May 2009 10:45:20 AM IST
HYDERABAD: The main Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which is expecting a simple majority in the Assembly to form the government, is likely to get a good number of seats only in three districts in Andhra and Rayalaseema.
The internal appraisal of the party indicated that the TDP fared well in Guntur, Chittoor and Anantapur districts. TDP leaders are not confident of getting a fair number of Assembly seats in the remaining districts.
With these indications, doubts are increasing in the party on getting a simple majority in the Assembly.
The TDP, which had been strong in Andhra and Rayalaseema regions till 2004, is now skeptical about getting many seats in the areas where there is a triangular fight among the TDP, the PRP and the Congress.
After analysing the poll trends, the TDP leaders are now revealing that the party would get more than 60 per cent of the Assembly seats in only three districts in Andhra and Rayalaseema.
According to sources, TDP leaders are confident of winning more than 60 per cent of the Assembly seats in Guntur, Chittor and Anantapur districts of the total nine districts which went to the polls in the second phase on April 23.
The TDP is expected to get 10 Assembly seats out of 17 in Guntur district.
If there was a silent wave in favour of the TDP, the party would get a maximum of 14 Assembly seats, party sources said.
However, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu expected that his party would sweep all the seats in Guntur district.
In Anantapur, a TDP bastion, party leaders expect to win eight to 10 Assembly seats out of the total 14 seats in the district. Likewise, in Chittoor district too, the TDP is expecting to win seven to 10 Assembly seats out of the 14 seats in the district.
TDP leaders are not sure of the party sweeping the polls in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, the twin Godavari districts, Krishna, Prakasam, Nellore and Kadapa districts. Even in Krishna district, the PRP’s presence was strong in East Krishna, a TDP leader admitted.
However, TDP leaders are not confident of getting a good number of seats in other districts.
In such a scenario, the TDP would not get a simple majority in the elections to form the government, analysts felt.
However, TDP leaders are exuding confidence that the Grand Alliance would form the next government.
And, even though there are rumours that the TDP is in touch with some former TDP leaders who contested on behalf of the PRP in the elections, party general secretary K Srihari has dismissed such reports, saying, “We will form the next government.
We are not consulting with leaders of the PRP.’’
HYDERABAD: The main Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which is expecting a simple majority in the Assembly to form the government, is likely to get a good number of seats only in three districts in Andhra and Rayalaseema.
The internal appraisal of the party indicated that the TDP fared well in Guntur, Chittoor and Anantapur districts. TDP leaders are not confident of getting a fair number of Assembly seats in the remaining districts.
With these indications, doubts are increasing in the party on getting a simple majority in the Assembly.
The TDP, which had been strong in Andhra and Rayalaseema regions till 2004, is now skeptical about getting many seats in the areas where there is a triangular fight among the TDP, the PRP and the Congress.
After analysing the poll trends, the TDP leaders are now revealing that the party would get more than 60 per cent of the Assembly seats in only three districts in Andhra and Rayalaseema.
According to sources, TDP leaders are confident of winning more than 60 per cent of the Assembly seats in Guntur, Chittor and Anantapur districts of the total nine districts which went to the polls in the second phase on April 23.
The TDP is expected to get 10 Assembly seats out of 17 in Guntur district.
If there was a silent wave in favour of the TDP, the party would get a maximum of 14 Assembly seats, party sources said.
However, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu expected that his party would sweep all the seats in Guntur district.
In Anantapur, a TDP bastion, party leaders expect to win eight to 10 Assembly seats out of the total 14 seats in the district. Likewise, in Chittoor district too, the TDP is expecting to win seven to 10 Assembly seats out of the 14 seats in the district.
TDP leaders are not sure of the party sweeping the polls in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, the twin Godavari districts, Krishna, Prakasam, Nellore and Kadapa districts. Even in Krishna district, the PRP’s presence was strong in East Krishna, a TDP leader admitted.
However, TDP leaders are not confident of getting a good number of seats in other districts.
In such a scenario, the TDP would not get a simple majority in the elections to form the government, analysts felt.
However, TDP leaders are exuding confidence that the Grand Alliance would form the next government.
And, even though there are rumours that the TDP is in touch with some former TDP leaders who contested on behalf of the PRP in the elections, party general secretary K Srihari has dismissed such reports, saying, “We will form the next government.
We are not consulting with leaders of the PRP.’’
Sunday, 19 April 2009
Desperate YSR talking crazy, says Babu
VV బాలకృష్ణ
First Published : 18 Apr 2009 09:43:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 18 Apr 2009 02:39:15 PM IST
KAIKALUR (Krishna Dt): “People of Rayalaseema and Andhra would never be treated as foreigners in Hyderabad. It is Congress president Sonia Gandhi who is a foreigner as she hails from Italy,’’ Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu has said.
Coming down heavily on Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy for his remarks yesterday in Kurnool district, after the first phase of election, that Andhra and Rayalaseema people would become foreigners in Hyderabad if people voted the Grand Alliance to power, Naidu alleged that Rajasekhara Reddy was fanning regional ill-will among people.
“Rajasekhara Reddy is making crazy statements for the sake of regaining power,’’ he said in an election meeting here today.
Stating the Chief Minister had made the statement out of frustration, Naidu said the TDP was committed to the welfare of settlers in Hyderabad. It gave more seats to them, he pointed out.
“There is no insecurity to Andhra people in Hyderabad,’’ he averred.
“It was Rajasekhara Reddy who provoked Rayalaseema people during the NTR regime and was also responsible for a delegation of Telangana legislators meeting Sonia Gandhi for a separate State during my tenure,’’ Naidu said.
Rajasekhara Reddy’s only aim was to remain in power. For this, he was creating differences among various regions, he charged. ``All of us know Rajasekhara Reddy’s criminal background,’’ Naidu alleged.
Naidu said the TDP was not against irrigation projects.
“When Maharashtra government was constructing Babhali project, Rajasekhara Reddy remained silent and failed to protect State’s interests,’’ he alleged.
Questioning the sincerity of Rajasekhara Reddy on irrigation projects, Naidu said in the case of Polavaram, digging of canals was taken up before the actual project works, for the sake of kickbacks. He further alleged that Rajasekhara Reddy had diverted Krishna waters to the factories set up by his son Jagan Mohan Reddy.
“We have assured allocation from Krishna and Godavari rivers.
Our share will be utilised fully, if the Grand Alliance is voted to power,’’ Naidu assured.
On the Kolleru lake operation, Naidu said the farmers who had lost 7,500 acres would be given lands there in the lake. He assured Upputeru would be widened.
Seeking votes for Maganti Babu, former Congress minister, Naidu said honest politicians found no place in `corrupt’ Rajasekhara Reddy’ rule.
First Published : 18 Apr 2009 09:43:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 18 Apr 2009 02:39:15 PM IST
KAIKALUR (Krishna Dt): “People of Rayalaseema and Andhra would never be treated as foreigners in Hyderabad. It is Congress president Sonia Gandhi who is a foreigner as she hails from Italy,’’ Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu has said.
Coming down heavily on Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy for his remarks yesterday in Kurnool district, after the first phase of election, that Andhra and Rayalaseema people would become foreigners in Hyderabad if people voted the Grand Alliance to power, Naidu alleged that Rajasekhara Reddy was fanning regional ill-will among people.
“Rajasekhara Reddy is making crazy statements for the sake of regaining power,’’ he said in an election meeting here today.
Stating the Chief Minister had made the statement out of frustration, Naidu said the TDP was committed to the welfare of settlers in Hyderabad. It gave more seats to them, he pointed out.
“There is no insecurity to Andhra people in Hyderabad,’’ he averred.
“It was Rajasekhara Reddy who provoked Rayalaseema people during the NTR regime and was also responsible for a delegation of Telangana legislators meeting Sonia Gandhi for a separate State during my tenure,’’ Naidu said.
Rajasekhara Reddy’s only aim was to remain in power. For this, he was creating differences among various regions, he charged. ``All of us know Rajasekhara Reddy’s criminal background,’’ Naidu alleged.
Naidu said the TDP was not against irrigation projects.
“When Maharashtra government was constructing Babhali project, Rajasekhara Reddy remained silent and failed to protect State’s interests,’’ he alleged.
Questioning the sincerity of Rajasekhara Reddy on irrigation projects, Naidu said in the case of Polavaram, digging of canals was taken up before the actual project works, for the sake of kickbacks. He further alleged that Rajasekhara Reddy had diverted Krishna waters to the factories set up by his son Jagan Mohan Reddy.
“We have assured allocation from Krishna and Godavari rivers.
Our share will be utilised fully, if the Grand Alliance is voted to power,’’ Naidu assured.
On the Kolleru lake operation, Naidu said the farmers who had lost 7,500 acres would be given lands there in the lake. He assured Upputeru would be widened.
Seeking votes for Maganti Babu, former Congress minister, Naidu said honest politicians found no place in `corrupt’ Rajasekhara Reddy’ rule.
Congress will be wiped out on April 23, says Chandrababu
First Published : 19 Apr 2009 04:09:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 19 Apr 2009 12:25:30 PM ఇష్ట
TENALI: “Do not fall in the ‘maya’ (illusion) of the Congress which is determined to purchase votes,’’ he warned. “All those who witnessed the ‘demonical rule’ in the State in the last five years will celebrate ‘Diwali’, as the demon — ‘Naraka’ Congress — will be killed on April 23,’’ he said while addressing huge gatherings in Guntur district.
Frequently using philosophical and religious phraseology in his speeches, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N Chandrababu Naidu cautioned voters that ‘hand’, the Congress symbol, was nothing but ‘Bhasmasura hastam’. He branded Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy as ‘Narahantakudu’.
Addressing election meetings in Repalle, Vemuru, Tenali and other towns in the district, Naidu asserted that the TDP would surely regain power in the State. “The Grand Alliance will win 110 seats in the first phase and it will definitely be ahead of the Congress in the second phase too,’’ Naidu averred and declared ‘Raajyadhikaram mande’ (political power is ours).
As the TDP pinned its hopes on Guntur district to win 17 out of the 19 Assembly seats in the district, the mood and response of the crowd enthused Naidu. “Going by the response from you, I wish to stay in Andhra Paris.
But, I am moving forward to address meetings in other towns,’’ Naidu said in Tenali.
To promote his Cash Transfer Scheme, Naidu showed an ATM card to voters.
“You can withdraw money in any town using this card,’’ he assured them.
“The Congress is prepared to pay Rs 2,000 per vote. Do not take the cash. If the TDP is voted to power, I will give Rs 2,000 monthly. You will get Rs 1.2 lakh after five years,’’ the TDP said.
Shedding light on the CTS, Naidu said unlike leaders of the Congress, the poor would not transfer the money to Swiss banks. All the money they would get from the government would be spent in the local markets to purchase rice, edible oil and millets. The money deposited in the bank accounts of women would help rejuvenate market economy in the time of recession, Naidu said while defending his scheme. He also promised to give more than Rs 2,000 for families who gave up the habit of consuming liquor. “Do not consume liquor. Use the money you will get under the CTS for eating nutritious food,’’ Naidu counselled. On the colour TV scheme, he said, “You can watch the movies of NTR Jr and Balakrishna on the CTvs. You can also watch health, agriculture and other educative programmes and improve your standard of living,’’ Naidu explained.
In Repalle, Naidu objected to the Congress changing names for projects conceived by the TDP. “The TDP will change all the names of the projects which have the tag of Rajiv or Indira,’’ Naidu said.
In his speeches, Naidu mainly focused on Congress-bashing and made light of the very presence of the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP). PRP’s driver (Chiranjeevi) did not know how to run the train (party), Naidu ridiculed.
Though he was two hours behind schedule, the crowd waited patiently for him at several towns.
TENALI: “Do not fall in the ‘maya’ (illusion) of the Congress which is determined to purchase votes,’’ he warned. “All those who witnessed the ‘demonical rule’ in the State in the last five years will celebrate ‘Diwali’, as the demon — ‘Naraka’ Congress — will be killed on April 23,’’ he said while addressing huge gatherings in Guntur district.
Frequently using philosophical and religious phraseology in his speeches, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N Chandrababu Naidu cautioned voters that ‘hand’, the Congress symbol, was nothing but ‘Bhasmasura hastam’. He branded Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy as ‘Narahantakudu’.
Addressing election meetings in Repalle, Vemuru, Tenali and other towns in the district, Naidu asserted that the TDP would surely regain power in the State. “The Grand Alliance will win 110 seats in the first phase and it will definitely be ahead of the Congress in the second phase too,’’ Naidu averred and declared ‘Raajyadhikaram mande’ (political power is ours).
As the TDP pinned its hopes on Guntur district to win 17 out of the 19 Assembly seats in the district, the mood and response of the crowd enthused Naidu. “Going by the response from you, I wish to stay in Andhra Paris.
But, I am moving forward to address meetings in other towns,’’ Naidu said in Tenali.
To promote his Cash Transfer Scheme, Naidu showed an ATM card to voters.
“You can withdraw money in any town using this card,’’ he assured them.
“The Congress is prepared to pay Rs 2,000 per vote. Do not take the cash. If the TDP is voted to power, I will give Rs 2,000 monthly. You will get Rs 1.2 lakh after five years,’’ the TDP said.
Shedding light on the CTS, Naidu said unlike leaders of the Congress, the poor would not transfer the money to Swiss banks. All the money they would get from the government would be spent in the local markets to purchase rice, edible oil and millets. The money deposited in the bank accounts of women would help rejuvenate market economy in the time of recession, Naidu said while defending his scheme. He also promised to give more than Rs 2,000 for families who gave up the habit of consuming liquor. “Do not consume liquor. Use the money you will get under the CTS for eating nutritious food,’’ Naidu counselled. On the colour TV scheme, he said, “You can watch the movies of NTR Jr and Balakrishna on the CTvs. You can also watch health, agriculture and other educative programmes and improve your standard of living,’’ Naidu explained.
In Repalle, Naidu objected to the Congress changing names for projects conceived by the TDP. “The TDP will change all the names of the projects which have the tag of Rajiv or Indira,’’ Naidu said.
In his speeches, Naidu mainly focused on Congress-bashing and made light of the very presence of the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP). PRP’s driver (Chiranjeevi) did not know how to run the train (party), Naidu ridiculed.
Though he was two hours behind schedule, the crowd waited patiently for him at several towns.
Saturday, 11 April 2009
KCR promises Krishna water to Palamur
Grand Alliance leaders N.Chandrababu Naidu (TDP), K.Chandrasekhara Rao (TRS), and K.Narayana (CPI) at the second and final Mahakutami public meeting
VV Balakrishna
First Published : 10 Apr 2009 03:46:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 10 Apr 2009 10:36:20 AM IST
MAHABOOBNAGAR: In the absence of his own party manifesto, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) president K Chandrasekhara Rao devoted much time to explaining the salient features of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) manifesto at the second and final joint meeting of the Grand Alliance held here today.
While Rao frequently referred to TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu as “Babu Garu’’, Naidu appealed to voters to vote for Chandrasekhara Rao.
The TRS chief explained the Cash Transfer Scheme (CTS) and the promise of colour TVs -- the two main highlights of the TDP manifesto -- at a wellattended public meeting at the Boys Jr College grounds in town. All too aware that his chances in the Mahaboobnagar Lok Sabha contest hinged crucially on the TDP’s strong vote bank, Rao was careful to heap praise on Naidu again today, and drew loud applause when he described the latter as a future chief minister.
And Naidu responded by saying: “Both of us will develop Mahaboobnagar.’’ The TRS chief repeatedly praised TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu’s nine-year rule as one that witnessed “all-round develompent’’, adding: “YS Rajasekhara Reddy, who stepped into Naidu’s shoes, only used the wealth created by the latter for corruption.’’ Of course, it is another matter that before joining hands with the TDP, Rao used to pour nothing but scorn on Naidu and the TDP.
Charging AICC president Sonia Gandhi with hoodwinking the people of Telangana, Rao said he had now reposed faith in the TDP. “Respecting the sentiments of the people of Telangana, the TDP politburo adopted a resolution to fulfil all constitutional requirements needed for a separate State,’’ he said.
The TRS chief assured voters that if he was elected he would mobilise around Rs 3,000 crore in funds from the Centre to bring Krishna waters to the district. “I will solve all your problems with the help of Babu garu,’’ Rao assured.
For his part, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu said all irrigation projects in the district would be completed. He assured four percent reservations to Muslims, 20 kg free rice, an exclusive bank for youth with a corpus of Rs 2,000 crore and PRC with 40 per cent fitment for government employees.
Terming the Congress corrupt and Praja Rajyam inefficient, Naidu said both were equally dangerous for democracy and he dared them to tell the people CTS was not required.
“CTS has created panic among Congress leaders,’’ he maintained.
CPI State secretary K Narayana, CPM State secretariat member Veeraiah and candidates of both TDP and TRS were present
150 assembly, 27 LS seats for Congress
Express News Service
First Published : 08 Apr 2009 03:43:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 08 Apr 2009 01:12:12 PM IST
HYDERABAD: A pre-poll survey by HMTV, a Telugu news channel, predicts 135 to 150 Assembly seats for the Congress. The survey gave 90 to 100 Assembly seats to the Grand Alliance (TDP-TRS-CPM-CPI combine), between 40 and 50 seats to the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) and 12 to 16 seats to others.
As far as Lok Sabha seats were concerned, the survey predicted that the Congress would stand first in the State by getting 27 seats followed by 12 seats bagged by the Grand Alliance. The PRP would get two Lok Sabha seats and the MIM one, the survey predicted. The survey titled `Theerpu-2009’’ was conducted under the supervision of renowned social scientist Prof Haragopal for HMTV of Hyderabad Media House Limited.
Of the 294 Assembly segments in the State, which are going for polls in two phases on April 16 and 23, the survey was conducted in 279. The survey covered as many as 5,480 people from different walks of life and strata of society.
When the surveyors asked voters to indicate their choice for the Chief Minister’s post, 41 per cent voted for Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy followed by 29.5 per cent for Opposition leader N Chandrababu Naidu and 19.8 per cent for Chiranjeevi.
However, in the Greater Hyderabad limits, 40 per cent wanted to see Chandrababu Naidu as the Chief Minister.
Rajasekhara Reddy emerged the number one in all other areas -- Rayalaseema, Krishna and the twin Godavari districts. However, Naidu was in the third place in Krishna and the twin Godavari districts where 44.9 per cent respondents wanted to see Rajasekhara Reddy again as the Chief Minister followed by 26.1 per cent who wanted to see Chiranjeevi take up the top job, while 19.6 per cent chose the TDP supremo.
Forty per cent opined that the Congress would win the elections, 26 per cent felt that the Grand Alliance would come to power and 16 per cent hoped that the PRP would come to power. However, the PRP got the highest votes in Krishna and the twin Godavari districts, where 22.9 per cent felt that the PRP would win the elections.
On the performance of the State Government, 12.4 per cent rated it very good, 24.1 per cent good and 31.5 per cent not bad. Only 18.3 per cent rated the performance as bad and 7.6 per cent rated it worst.
In all, only 30 per cent supported the Grand Alliance and 64 per cent opposed it. A majority of 75.7 per cent opposed the Grand Alliance in Krishna and the twin Godavari districts. The Grand Alliance got the highest support in South Andhra districts where 36.8 per cent supported it while it got the lowest support in Krishna and the twin Godavari districts with 17.6 per cent.
Rising prices were the main concern of 44.2 per cent respondents, while 18.5 per cent were worried about the corruption in the Congress rule.
Interestingly, 60 per cent voters did not believe in Chiranjeevi’s promises, while 62.2 per cent in North Telangana did not buy the BJP’s slogan of separate Telangana in 100 days.
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
TRS chief casts his spell on Palamur
VV Balakrishna
First Published : 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 07 Apr 2009 09:48:42 AM IST
MAHABOOBNAGAR: “I don’t know when he will come. But I will wait. I want to hear him today,” Siva, an agricultural worker, says sipping his hot cup of chai. Seated under the shade of a road-side teastall in Marikal, a dusty village in Mahaboobnagar district, he chats with his friend and this correspondent as we all wait patiently in the hot weather for the arrival of the “messiah.” Siva has been waiting for almost two hours in the sweltering heat.At last, there is some commotion as the Sun goes down and another Son –– Telangana bidda –– TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao arrives.
Siva and others like him quickly gather around the T messenger.”Nenu ee Telangana mattilo puttina.
Telangana vasthene, Palamur ku manchi jaruguthadi,” KCR reminds them in his inimitable style. His oratory and rhetoric enthuses the crowd. All their weariness and the strain of long hours of waiting is forgotten in a jiffy. After listening to him, Siva is convinced that the TRS chief alone can deliver a separate State, which he believes, would usher in a sea-change in their lives.
Chandrasekhara Rao with his uncanny sense of worming his way into the hearts of the people is quickly building up a good base in Mahaboobnagar parliamentary constituency which is new to him. Helping him is the fact that voters here always support a new candidate in every election.
“Why shouldn’t we give a chance to a new leader?” asks Ramulu, a farmer, who was among the crowd. Though initially there were fears that KCR may not do well in Mahaboobnagar LS constituency because the separate Telangana movement is pronounced here, the situation is changing with each passing day.
People here are not bothered about criticism that he has migrated to Mahaboobangar unable to face voters in his Karimnagar Lok Sabha constituency since he forced two elections between 2004 and now but did not bring Telangana.
His emotional statements may sound irrelevant to voters in Siddipet and Karimnagar, but such dialogues are touching the hearts of Mahaboonagar voters.
After hearing Rao, who uses the local dialect extensively, Ramanamma, a daily wager, has decided to vote for him this time.
The TRS chief has another advantage in Mahaboobnagar in the form of wellknit Telugu Desam cadres in the constituency.
Chandrasekhara Rao is confident that the Telangana sentiment, his oratorical skills plus the Telugu Desam support would help him win the electoral battle.
Justifying his confidence is Sailu, a traditional TDP voter. She says: “Now, both the parties are together. I will vote for the car this time.” Though, Praja Rajyam and BJP candidates are in the fray, Chandrasekhara Rao’s main rival is Congress sitting MP T Vithal Rao. Though, BJP has some presence, the voters believe KCR not Ramesh Reddy of the BJP can deliver a separate State.
“Of course, I want to see Advani as prime minister. But I will vote for TRS this time for Telangana’s sake,” Boya Ramulu, a hard-core BJP loyalist, says in Makhtal.
Nonetheless, the exuberance one associates with KCR’s campaign is missing here. The atmosphere is not ‘highly charged’ so to speak but several factors other Telangana are helping him. For instance, a large number of Muslims, who are a deciding factor, are keen on supporting Chandrasekhara Rao this time. The reason is not separate Telangana but anti-incumbency against Vittal Rao of the Congress.
“If the fight had been between Congress and the BJP. We would have definitely opted for Congress.
Now, we have an alternative.
A majority of the Muslims will vote for TRS this time,” Abdul Khadar, a vegetable vendor, explains.
Several Muslims too echo similar feelings.
Another factor working in favour of the TRS is that it is the only party that has given the maximum number of tickets to Muslims. The TRS gave Mahaboobnagar Assembly ticket to Ibrahim.
TDP rebel K Dayakar Reddy, who is in the fray against TRS’ M Sridhar Goud in Makthal, also supports Chandrasekhara Rao when it comes to the Lok Sabha LS.
As for his poll promises, he is no less than his friend Chandrababu Naidu. At one place, when voters demanded a degree college in Shadnagar, a junior college in Kundurg and a bus depot in Kodangal, Rao in his typical style, said, “all these works are very small things. I can solve such issues with just a phone call!” Rao explains to voters that he has solved drinking water problem in Siddipet and assures them that he would quench the thirst of Mahaboonagar town in a similar fashion. (Currently, people get piped water once in 15 days).
However, the cautious TRS chief reminds local scribes that though his victory is a foregone conclusion, he is not afraid of losing either.
Even a towering personality like M Chenna Reddy, lost once in Karimnagar after championing the T-cause and NTR too lost in Kalwakurthy.
At public meetings, he says he is contesting from Mahaboonagar at the request of TRS ideologue Jayashankar.
If Rao wins, the credit goes to himself. If he loses, will it be because of Jayashankar?
Parties dish out unfair deal to fair sex
V V Balakrishna
First Published : 02 Apr 2009 03:51:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 02 Apr 2009 12:59:18 PM IST
HYDERABAD: All the political parties in the State have adopted an unfair approach towards the fairer sex in the elections, if one goes by the list of the candidates finalised so far for the elections to the Lok Sabha and the Assembly.
Albeit their tall talk of providing 33 per cent reservations to women in legislative bodies and extending support to a Bill in the Parliament if women’s reservation bill is introduced, the major political parties, in practice, seem to be higly gender-biased.
The Congress is a shade better than others: it gave five Lok Sabha seats to women, including D Purandeswari, B Jhansi, Renuka Chowdury and Panabaka Lakshmi. Heroines R K Roja and Vijayasanti are in the Grand Alliance list.
The Congress fielded 33 women candidates instead of providing 33 per cent seats for the Assembly, while the TDP came with a poor 17 seats. There are four women in the TDP list for the Lok Sabha. The TRS fielded no woman for the Assembly but allotted only one Lok Sabha seat for Vijayasanti.
The Opposition TDP, which always reposed faith in women voters for victory, ignored them this time, as the party “cannot take risk” in the current elections as they are crucial for the party. The party searched for `winning horses’ but it did not include many women. The Praja Rajyam Party (PRP), the Lok Satta Party (LSP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) too gave less priority to women in the Assembly elections. The same is the case with the Left parties. Even if the parties have allotted tickets to women, they are either seasoned politicians or relatives of senior leaders. Very few women who are fresh to public life found a place in the lists of parties.
“When I approached the TDP for a ticket, a politburo member told me that the party could not take a risk this time,” an aspirant and former MLA Katragadda Prasuna said. In the 2004 elections, the TDP gave more number of seats to women. “The party leaders told me that they could not take a chance this time like in the 2004 elections,” Prasuna said. Reason? This was going to be a fiercely fought election and winning every Assembly seat was a must to form the next government.
“As the parties were hunting for winning horses, women candidates did not get tickets,” a TDP woman leader said.
The situation in the TRS is very strange. Not a single woman finds a place in the Pink party’s list for the Assembly.
The TRS has fielded only one woman candidate -- Vijayashanti -- for the Lok Sabha. “I too feel bad that not many women have got seats,” actress and TRS secretary general Vijayashanti said. “Due to alliances, women could not get many seats in the Grand Alliance,” she added.
First Published : 02 Apr 2009 03:51:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 02 Apr 2009 12:59:18 PM IST
HYDERABAD: All the political parties in the State have adopted an unfair approach towards the fairer sex in the elections, if one goes by the list of the candidates finalised so far for the elections to the Lok Sabha and the Assembly.
Albeit their tall talk of providing 33 per cent reservations to women in legislative bodies and extending support to a Bill in the Parliament if women’s reservation bill is introduced, the major political parties, in practice, seem to be higly gender-biased.
The Congress is a shade better than others: it gave five Lok Sabha seats to women, including D Purandeswari, B Jhansi, Renuka Chowdury and Panabaka Lakshmi. Heroines R K Roja and Vijayasanti are in the Grand Alliance list.
The Congress fielded 33 women candidates instead of providing 33 per cent seats for the Assembly, while the TDP came with a poor 17 seats. There are four women in the TDP list for the Lok Sabha. The TRS fielded no woman for the Assembly but allotted only one Lok Sabha seat for Vijayasanti.
The Opposition TDP, which always reposed faith in women voters for victory, ignored them this time, as the party “cannot take risk” in the current elections as they are crucial for the party. The party searched for `winning horses’ but it did not include many women. The Praja Rajyam Party (PRP), the Lok Satta Party (LSP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) too gave less priority to women in the Assembly elections. The same is the case with the Left parties. Even if the parties have allotted tickets to women, they are either seasoned politicians or relatives of senior leaders. Very few women who are fresh to public life found a place in the lists of parties.
“When I approached the TDP for a ticket, a politburo member told me that the party could not take a risk this time,” an aspirant and former MLA Katragadda Prasuna said. In the 2004 elections, the TDP gave more number of seats to women. “The party leaders told me that they could not take a chance this time like in the 2004 elections,” Prasuna said. Reason? This was going to be a fiercely fought election and winning every Assembly seat was a must to form the next government.
“As the parties were hunting for winning horses, women candidates did not get tickets,” a TDP woman leader said.
The situation in the TRS is very strange. Not a single woman finds a place in the Pink party’s list for the Assembly.
The TRS has fielded only one woman candidate -- Vijayashanti -- for the Lok Sabha. “I too feel bad that not many women have got seats,” actress and TRS secretary general Vijayashanti said. “Due to alliances, women could not get many seats in the Grand Alliance,” she added.
Monday, 30 March 2009
KCR’s ‘weak’lings, Grand weak links
VV Balakrishna
First Published : 30 Mar 2009 03:32:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 30 Mar 2009 01:34:44 PM IST
HYDERABAD: Resentment is brewing in the TRS and the TDP camps over TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao’s choice of candidates in some Assembly and Lok Sabha segments as they are seen to be ‘‘financially sound but politically weak.’’ Sources said the TDP Telangana leaders, already frustrated with the TRS for seeking seats that are considered TDP bastions, are now furious that the pink party has fielded ‘weak’ candidates in constituencies where the TDP is quite strong.
This perception of ‘weak contestants’ has led to widespread rumours that only those, who had loads of money, were considered for party tickets by the TRS leadership.
Chandrasekhara Rao denied the same vehemently in Medak on Sunday and even went to the extent of saying that he would rather chop his head rather than bow it in shame. The suspicion that only the filthy rich were considered for party tickets gained ground after the reported confession (in a section of press) of a candidate that he had paid Rs 10 crore to secure the Secunderabad ticket. Of the 45 Assembly and nine Lok Sabha seats for which the TRS has announced candidates, it fielded ‘weak’ candidates in over 12 Assembly and four Lok Sabha seats. TRS leaders too are admitting this in private.
The ‘weak’ candidates of TRS, according to party sources, are M Sudarshana Rao (Kukatpally Assembly), K Yadagiri Reddy (Alair), R Kanakaiah (Manthani), M Yadagiri Reddy (Uppal), K Prabhakar Reddy (Maheswaram).
The TRS also fielded a weak candidate AS Posetti in Nizamabad urban. Posetti is taking on PCC chief D Srinivas. Interestingly, former minister A Chandrasekhar did not want to stand again in his home turf Vikarabad, as he is sure of losing it to the Congress.
But, the TRS leadership has forced him to.
First Published : 30 Mar 2009 03:32:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 30 Mar 2009 01:34:44 PM IST
HYDERABAD: Resentment is brewing in the TRS and the TDP camps over TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao’s choice of candidates in some Assembly and Lok Sabha segments as they are seen to be ‘‘financially sound but politically weak.’’ Sources said the TDP Telangana leaders, already frustrated with the TRS for seeking seats that are considered TDP bastions, are now furious that the pink party has fielded ‘weak’ candidates in constituencies where the TDP is quite strong.
This perception of ‘weak contestants’ has led to widespread rumours that only those, who had loads of money, were considered for party tickets by the TRS leadership.
Chandrasekhara Rao denied the same vehemently in Medak on Sunday and even went to the extent of saying that he would rather chop his head rather than bow it in shame. The suspicion that only the filthy rich were considered for party tickets gained ground after the reported confession (in a section of press) of a candidate that he had paid Rs 10 crore to secure the Secunderabad ticket. Of the 45 Assembly and nine Lok Sabha seats for which the TRS has announced candidates, it fielded ‘weak’ candidates in over 12 Assembly and four Lok Sabha seats. TRS leaders too are admitting this in private.
The ‘weak’ candidates of TRS, according to party sources, are M Sudarshana Rao (Kukatpally Assembly), K Yadagiri Reddy (Alair), R Kanakaiah (Manthani), M Yadagiri Reddy (Uppal), K Prabhakar Reddy (Maheswaram).
The TRS also fielded a weak candidate AS Posetti in Nizamabad urban. Posetti is taking on PCC chief D Srinivas. Interestingly, former minister A Chandrasekhar did not want to stand again in his home turf Vikarabad, as he is sure of losing it to the Congress.
But, the TRS leadership has forced him to.
TDP call centre calling up voters for feedback
V V Balakrishna
First Published : 30 Mar 2009 02:19:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 30 Mar 2009 11:53:17 AM IST
HYDERABAD: It’s a common sight in call centres to witness many employees engaged in calling up potential customers to sell their products. But, here’s a call centre with a difference — the TDP call centre — set up at NTR Bhavan, the headquarters of the TDP, to gauge people’s pulse.
Around 400 employees, all youth (each hired for Rs 6,000 per month), are busy contacting people over the telephone, at the temporary call centre set up by the main Opposition party.
The youth ring up people in all the 294 Assembly segments and ask questions to seek feedback on the TDP. The TDP call centre, perhaps the first-one-of-its-kind run by any political party in the State, was started ten days ago. The callers ask some questions to people and seek their feedback.
Based on the information, the party has been finalising the candidates for various Assembly and Lok Sabha segments in the elections.
For example, after the Congress announced the list, the employees of the TDP call centre called up people and asked them their opinions regarding the Congress nominees. Later, they asked people several questions with regard to the TDP candidates — was the candidate the right person for their constituency, would he do justice to people — to seek their opinion.
The TDP call centre employees have reportedly been receiving positive responses to most of their queries to people about the TDP candidates.
“More than 60 per cent of the potential customers (read voters) are satisfied with the TDP candidates,’’ an employee working with the TDP call centre told `Express’.
However, while eliciting people’s opinions, the TDP call centre employees are not revealing their identities that they are working for a particular political party. “We are not revealing our identity. Just we are seeking feedback,’’ an employee said.
After the finalisation of candidates, the employees attached to the TDP call centre call up ‘customers’ and seek votes for the party.
“Each of us is making 50 to 60 calls per day.
We are working from 9 am to 5 pm,’’ an employee from East Godavari said. “The response from customers is good and they are cooperating with us. We politely disconnect the phone if any customer feels irritated,’’ he revealed.
A chairman of a group of corporate colleges is managing the show for the TDP.
So, don’t be surprised if you soon get a call from the TDP call centre, requesting you to vote for the TDP!
For Roja, politics is not a bed of roses
V V Balakrishna
First Published : 29 Mar 2009 09:16:44 AM IST
Last Updated : 29 Mar 2009 11:25:13 AM IST
HYDERABAD: The hate campaign being run in the name of elections has turned from bad to worse in Andhra Pradesh which is going in for a simultaneous poll to the Lok Sabha and Assembly. At the receiving end is TDP firebrand and former actress Roja, who is the Telugu Desam nominee for Chandragiri Assembly constituency in Chittoor district.
After verbal duels on television channels which often bordered on plain abuse, an MMS showing the veteran actress and a stranger in a compromising position is doing the rounds. The five-minute clip is being circulated over mobile phones not in one city or town but the entire State.
However, the video appears to have been morphed in a bid to damage the image of the actress-turned-politician, who has hit the headlines recently for her virulent attack on Chiranjeevi-led Praja Rajyam and the Congress. Circulation of this kind of MMSes is not uncommon but this is the first time that such a thing has surfaced during elections and that too, against a politician. Roja had, during her hey days, starred opposite all the top stars including megastar Chiranjeevi who is now in the opposite end of the political spectrum.
Notwithstanding her earlier association with Chiranjeevi, she has been one of his most vocal critics.
Roja, when contacted, said she had heard of the MMS but refrained from blaming anyone. She said she would lodge a complaint with the Election Commission
Monday, 16 March 2009
‘Sonrise’ soon in TDP?
Express News Service
First Published : 16 Mar 2009 03:19:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 16 Mar 2009 03:42:26 PM IST
HYDERABAD: In perhaps his first hint at a ‘sonrise’, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N Chandrababu Naidu Sunday said Lokesh would “help him politically”, even if occasionally.
To a question about his son’s entry into politics, Naidu said: “Do not drag him into politics”.
However, unlike previous occasions when Naidu used to emphatically and categorically rule out a political role for Lokesh altogether, this time round he did say that junior may help him out from time to time. This has given rise to speculation whether a plunge is in the offing.
It may be recalled that several aspirants to TDP tickets have been approaching the party through Lokesh, submitting their applications to him. Meanwhile, Naidu is greatly pleased with the way the NTR Jr and Balakrishna campaigns for the party have been progressing. “You are used to enjoying Saturday evenings but are working very hard now. Real happiness comes only after hard work,” Naidu told NTR Jr.
Nara Lokesh to lend dad a hand
NARA Lokesh, US-returned businessman, will help out dad and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu.
Party sources scotched talk of Lokesh’s immediate entry into politics, though he will, indeed appear on the radar by participating in a couple of public meetings to be addressed by NTR Jr.
Lokesh, an MBA from the US, is looking after the family business — Heritage Foods — along with mother, Bhuvaneswari.
It might be recounted here that whenever curious scribes have asked Chandrababu Naidu about Lokesh’s entry into active politics, the reply has been along these lines: “I want my son to become a good citizen first. It is up to him (Lokesh) which avocation to take up. Do not drag him into unnecessary controversies.” As for Naidu’s archrival and Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, the latter’s son, Jagan Mohan Reddy, will be making a foray into politics by contesting the Kadapa Lok Sabha seat.
Party sources scotched talk of Lokesh’s immediate entry into politics, though he will, indeed appear on the radar by participating in a couple of public meetings to be addressed by NTR Jr.
Lokesh, an MBA from the US, is looking after the family business — Heritage Foods — along with mother, Bhuvaneswari.
It might be recounted here that whenever curious scribes have asked Chandrababu Naidu about Lokesh’s entry into active politics, the reply has been along these lines: “I want my son to become a good citizen first. It is up to him (Lokesh) which avocation to take up. Do not drag him into unnecessary controversies.” As for Naidu’s archrival and Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, the latter’s son, Jagan Mohan Reddy, will be making a foray into politics by contesting the Kadapa Lok Sabha seat.
politicos looking techwards for campaign
For the first time in these elections, technology is being extensively used by politicians and parties in the State.
From mobile phones to websites and online campaigning, politicians are making use of all kinds of technology.
Social networking site Facebook is the latest means through which several politicians are seeking voters’ support.
Though party websites were launched some years ago, several candidates are now using their personal websites and sites like Facebook as an alternative to door-to-door campaigning.
WEBSITES: Almost all the parties in the State have their own websites.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the AP Congress, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Lok Satta Party (LSP) have websites which are updated on a daily basis. The TDP also uploads its press releases and the news appearing in the regional newspapers every day.
PERSONAL WEBSITES: Not satisfied with the party websites, the techsavvy politicians, in order to catch the young voters, are launching personal websites. For example, LSP candidate from Jubilee Hills Assembly segment G Pratibha Rao launched her own website which gives more details about her mission. It actually came in handy for the LSP candidate as the party is opposed to money power in politics.
Several upcoming politicians like Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, son of Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, and Nara Lokesh, son of TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu too have personal websites. Seasoned politician Y S Rajasekhara Reddy has one. N Chandrababu Naidu has a personal website which is a link site from the party’s website.
WEB-CAMPAIGN: After websites, the political parties and politicians are now focusing on online campaign and publicity through e-mails. In fact, the BJP has appointed men to launch on-line campaign for the party.
FACEBOOK: At least three politicians from Hyderabad have launched their campaigns on Facebook, the latest buzz among the Net-savvy citizens.
For example, Hyderabad MP and MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, his brother Akbaruddin Owaisi and Asad’s opponent and `Siasat’ editor Zahed Ali Khan are trying to muster support through Facebook.
SMSes: SMSes too have become a favourite means of conducting polls to find out the popularity of a candidate in a constituency and spread the message of parties directly to voters.
The TDP is conducting quick SMS polls among its activists to select the candidates in several Assembly segments in case there are three or more in the race for a ticket. The party is also seeking the opinion of partymen on announcing a scheme before taking a policy decision. For instance, the TDP is seeking the opinion of party workers and the general public on its latest decision to implement the Cash Transfer Scheme (CTS). The PRP and the TRS too are banking on mobile phones. The TDP went a step ahead and arranged Caller User Group (CUG) phones to its rank and file in arrangement with the BSNL.
From mobile phones to websites and online campaigning, politicians are making use of all kinds of technology.
Social networking site Facebook is the latest means through which several politicians are seeking voters’ support.
Though party websites were launched some years ago, several candidates are now using their personal websites and sites like Facebook as an alternative to door-to-door campaigning.
WEBSITES: Almost all the parties in the State have their own websites.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the AP Congress, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Lok Satta Party (LSP) have websites which are updated on a daily basis. The TDP also uploads its press releases and the news appearing in the regional newspapers every day.
PERSONAL WEBSITES: Not satisfied with the party websites, the techsavvy politicians, in order to catch the young voters, are launching personal websites. For example, LSP candidate from Jubilee Hills Assembly segment G Pratibha Rao launched her own website which gives more details about her mission. It actually came in handy for the LSP candidate as the party is opposed to money power in politics.
Several upcoming politicians like Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, son of Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, and Nara Lokesh, son of TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu too have personal websites. Seasoned politician Y S Rajasekhara Reddy has one. N Chandrababu Naidu has a personal website which is a link site from the party’s website.
WEB-CAMPAIGN: After websites, the political parties and politicians are now focusing on online campaign and publicity through e-mails. In fact, the BJP has appointed men to launch on-line campaign for the party.
FACEBOOK: At least three politicians from Hyderabad have launched their campaigns on Facebook, the latest buzz among the Net-savvy citizens.
For example, Hyderabad MP and MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, his brother Akbaruddin Owaisi and Asad’s opponent and `Siasat’ editor Zahed Ali Khan are trying to muster support through Facebook.
SMSes: SMSes too have become a favourite means of conducting polls to find out the popularity of a candidate in a constituency and spread the message of parties directly to voters.
The TDP is conducting quick SMS polls among its activists to select the candidates in several Assembly segments in case there are three or more in the race for a ticket. The party is also seeking the opinion of partymen on announcing a scheme before taking a policy decision. For instance, the TDP is seeking the opinion of party workers and the general public on its latest decision to implement the Cash Transfer Scheme (CTS). The PRP and the TRS too are banking on mobile phones. The TDP went a step ahead and arranged Caller User Group (CUG) phones to its rank and file in arrangement with the BSNL.
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