Express News Service
First Published : 03 Mar 2009 04:23:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 03 Mar 2009 02:27:57 PM IST
HYDERABAD: Curtains were down on the unhealthy war of advertisements on regional news channels this evening.
As the election code came into force, all the parties stopped telecasting the advertisements immediately.
The ad-war started almost two weeks back, with political parties resorting to all types of personal abuses and filthy language. The war was mainly between the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Congress which showed TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu and Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy in poor light.
With the election code in force now, the political parties will have to refer the advertisements to a committee constituted by the EC before releasing them.
If any party telecasts the advertisement without the screening of the EC’s committee, the party and the TV channel will be liable for punishment.
TDP TO MOVE COURT: Meanwhile, the TDP is planning to move court protesting against the Congress releasing an advertisement in which the animated image of NTR was seen supporting the ruling Congress.
Speaking to reporters here today, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu wondered how could NTR support the Congress. He said his party would move the court with a request stop further telecast of the advertisement.
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
Political parties switch to poll mode
Express News Service
First Published : 03 Mar 2009 04:42:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 03 Mar 2009 02:08:08 PM IST
HYDERABAD: Battle lines are drawn for the big-fight in the State. Leaders of all the parties are pulling up their socks for the poll-battle.
With the announcement of the election schedule for both the Lok Sabha and the State Assembly, all the political parties quickly got into poll mode today. Welcoming the poll schedule and expressing hope that the people would give mandate to their respective parties, State leaders of all the parties are gearing up their cadre for the grand final.
The election mood was clearly visible at respective party offices this evening with aspirants for tickets flocking them. Already all the parties launched the exercise to short-list the candidates.
Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy had already conducted review meetings for several Assembly segments.
The Grand Alliance which was dodging the seat-sharing issue till now, decided to speed up the process by ironing out the differences among the four parties. The Praja Rajyam did some exercise in finalising the candidates. The Lok Satta Party had already released names of candidates in two phases. The BJP also cleared the names for some Assembly and Lok Sabha seats.
The headquarters of various political parties were abuzz with activity from this evening.
At NTR Bhavan, the main Opposition Telugu Desam Party office, party chief N Chandrababu Naidu participated in the induction of the cultural troupe of the party. He welcomed two-phase elections in the State.
Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) chief Chiranjeevi who was touring Mahaboobnagar district said that the party would release its manifesto in the next four or five days.
However, the party was facing a problem with regard to a common symbol. Telangana Bhavan, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) office and Gandhi Bhavan, the State Congress office, too witnessed heavy activity.
Already, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and BJP prime minister candidate LK Advani addressed meetings in the State. Several national leaders are likely to address the Grand Alliance public meeting this week.
First Published : 03 Mar 2009 04:42:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 03 Mar 2009 02:08:08 PM IST
HYDERABAD: Battle lines are drawn for the big-fight in the State. Leaders of all the parties are pulling up their socks for the poll-battle.
With the announcement of the election schedule for both the Lok Sabha and the State Assembly, all the political parties quickly got into poll mode today. Welcoming the poll schedule and expressing hope that the people would give mandate to their respective parties, State leaders of all the parties are gearing up their cadre for the grand final.
The election mood was clearly visible at respective party offices this evening with aspirants for tickets flocking them. Already all the parties launched the exercise to short-list the candidates.
Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy had already conducted review meetings for several Assembly segments.
The Grand Alliance which was dodging the seat-sharing issue till now, decided to speed up the process by ironing out the differences among the four parties. The Praja Rajyam did some exercise in finalising the candidates. The Lok Satta Party had already released names of candidates in two phases. The BJP also cleared the names for some Assembly and Lok Sabha seats.
The headquarters of various political parties were abuzz with activity from this evening.
At NTR Bhavan, the main Opposition Telugu Desam Party office, party chief N Chandrababu Naidu participated in the induction of the cultural troupe of the party. He welcomed two-phase elections in the State.
Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) chief Chiranjeevi who was touring Mahaboobnagar district said that the party would release its manifesto in the next four or five days.
However, the party was facing a problem with regard to a common symbol. Telangana Bhavan, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) office and Gandhi Bhavan, the State Congress office, too witnessed heavy activity.
Already, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and BJP prime minister candidate LK Advani addressed meetings in the State. Several national leaders are likely to address the Grand Alliance public meeting this week.
PRP planning to move Supreme Court
VV Balakrishna
First Published : 03 Mar 2009 04:39:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 03 Mar 2009 02:22:27 PM IST
HYDERABAD: With the first phase of elections hardly 40 days away, there is high anxiety in the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) camp over its common election symbol. After the Election Commission (EC) rejected allotment of a common symbol for the newly-formed PRP, its general secretary Allu Aravind moved the High Court seeking `rail engine’ (locomotive) as the symbol for the party.
Though the court directed the EC to settle the issue within three weeks, there has been no reply from the EC to the PRP till now. With the chance of getting a common election symbol being remote, PRP chief Chiranjeevi said in Mahaboobnagar today, “We will explore all legal options to get the common symbol.” The PRP is planning to move the Supreme Court in this regard. The EC clearly stated that it was not possible to allot a common symbol for any new political party. To get the symbol, the party had to contest at least in one election and get six per cent of the total polled votes.
The PRP think tank had even thought of contesting on the symbol of any another recognised party which had no presence in the State. The PRP considered the NCP and other parties for using their symbols. But it would again have created problems for the PRP, as the party leadership would have had to depend upon the other party for issuing B-forms for its candidates. In such a case, the PRP could not have claimed its strength as the votes secured by PRP candidates would not have been treated as its votes. All the votes would have been claimed by the recognised party allowing the PRP to contest on its symbol.
In case the PRP got full strength in the Assembly, recognition of the MLAs as PRP members would also have been doubtful.
The PRP leadership has now dropped the idea of fielding its candidates on some other party symbol, according to sources. The only option left out for the PRP is to approach the apex court. If the PRP gets a symbol, well and good. Otherwise, all the 294 Assembly and 42 Lok Sabha candidates will get independent symbols. As the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections will be held simultaneously, the PRP leadership will have to promote two symbols in every Assembly segment — one for the Assembly candidate and another for the Lok Sabha candidate. Even if it gets a common symbol, popularising it in a short span of time will be a herculean task, feel analysts.
First Published : 03 Mar 2009 04:39:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 03 Mar 2009 02:22:27 PM IST
HYDERABAD: With the first phase of elections hardly 40 days away, there is high anxiety in the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) camp over its common election symbol. After the Election Commission (EC) rejected allotment of a common symbol for the newly-formed PRP, its general secretary Allu Aravind moved the High Court seeking `rail engine’ (locomotive) as the symbol for the party.
Though the court directed the EC to settle the issue within three weeks, there has been no reply from the EC to the PRP till now. With the chance of getting a common election symbol being remote, PRP chief Chiranjeevi said in Mahaboobnagar today, “We will explore all legal options to get the common symbol.” The PRP is planning to move the Supreme Court in this regard. The EC clearly stated that it was not possible to allot a common symbol for any new political party. To get the symbol, the party had to contest at least in one election and get six per cent of the total polled votes.
The PRP think tank had even thought of contesting on the symbol of any another recognised party which had no presence in the State. The PRP considered the NCP and other parties for using their symbols. But it would again have created problems for the PRP, as the party leadership would have had to depend upon the other party for issuing B-forms for its candidates. In such a case, the PRP could not have claimed its strength as the votes secured by PRP candidates would not have been treated as its votes. All the votes would have been claimed by the recognised party allowing the PRP to contest on its symbol.
In case the PRP got full strength in the Assembly, recognition of the MLAs as PRP members would also have been doubtful.
The PRP leadership has now dropped the idea of fielding its candidates on some other party symbol, according to sources. The only option left out for the PRP is to approach the apex court. If the PRP gets a symbol, well and good. Otherwise, all the 294 Assembly and 42 Lok Sabha candidates will get independent symbols. As the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections will be held simultaneously, the PRP leadership will have to promote two symbols in every Assembly segment — one for the Assembly candidate and another for the Lok Sabha candidate. Even if it gets a common symbol, popularising it in a short span of time will be a herculean task, feel analysts.
Monday, 2 March 2009
TDP, Congress ‘exploiting’ late NTR to woo voters
Express News Service
First Published : 02 Mar 2009 04:36:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 02 Mar 2009 12:57:26 PM IST
HYDERABAD: Even after 13 years of his death, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) founder NTR is here again to influence voters either in favour of the Congress or the TDP in the next elections.
The telecast of NTR’s animated image in advertisements in regional news channels is snowballing into a controversy. In the advertisement released by the TDP, the animated image of NTR `exposed’ Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and directed him to go to Idupulapaya to take rest after the next elections.
And now, in the advertisement issued for the Congress, NTR is seen presenting `Sudarsana Chakram’ to Y S Rajasekhara Reddy to `behead’ TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu for stabbing him (NTR) in the back.
It all began after the TDP released a series of advertisements -- Banti and Chanti, two chickens painted yellow, discussing corruption of the Congress -- on the corruption of the Rajasekhara Reddy Government.
In the subsequent advertisements released for the Congress, a `sadhu’ sprinkles water on the chickens and makes them come out in their true colours. The chickens will reveal their identity as `cunning foxes’ which had been spreading falsehood against the Congress.
To counter this, the TDP released an advertisement in which an animated image of the NTR exposed the `Congress sadhu’ as Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and directed him to go to Idupulapaya to take rest there.
Now, the animated NTR of the Congress, while presenting `Sudarsana Chakram’ to Rajasekhara Reddy, uses the choicest abuses in Telugu like `Tucchudu and neechudu’ against TDP president Chandrababu Naidu who backstabbed NTR.
“Take this `chakram’ and eliminate Naidu from politics,” the animated NTR is seen directing Rajasekhara Reddy. However, Union Minister and NTR’s daughter D Purandhareswari objected to the TDP using NTR for advertisements.
TDP leader K Yerran Naidu said the Congress had no right to use NTR for its campaign. “The Congress mainly banked on the backstabbing issue in 1999 elections. But, the people rejected it by reposing faith in the TDP. The Congress did not use the backstabbing issue in 2004 elections,” Yerran Naidu recalled. The campaign of the Congress on the `family coup’ against Naidu would not work its favour, he averred. By using NTR for the campaign, the 112-year Congress was exposing its bankruptcy, he alleged.
First Published : 02 Mar 2009 04:36:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 02 Mar 2009 12:57:26 PM IST
HYDERABAD: Even after 13 years of his death, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) founder NTR is here again to influence voters either in favour of the Congress or the TDP in the next elections.
The telecast of NTR’s animated image in advertisements in regional news channels is snowballing into a controversy. In the advertisement released by the TDP, the animated image of NTR `exposed’ Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and directed him to go to Idupulapaya to take rest after the next elections.
And now, in the advertisement issued for the Congress, NTR is seen presenting `Sudarsana Chakram’ to Y S Rajasekhara Reddy to `behead’ TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu for stabbing him (NTR) in the back.
It all began after the TDP released a series of advertisements -- Banti and Chanti, two chickens painted yellow, discussing corruption of the Congress -- on the corruption of the Rajasekhara Reddy Government.
In the subsequent advertisements released for the Congress, a `sadhu’ sprinkles water on the chickens and makes them come out in their true colours. The chickens will reveal their identity as `cunning foxes’ which had been spreading falsehood against the Congress.
To counter this, the TDP released an advertisement in which an animated image of the NTR exposed the `Congress sadhu’ as Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and directed him to go to Idupulapaya to take rest there.
Now, the animated NTR of the Congress, while presenting `Sudarsana Chakram’ to Rajasekhara Reddy, uses the choicest abuses in Telugu like `Tucchudu and neechudu’ against TDP president Chandrababu Naidu who backstabbed NTR.
“Take this `chakram’ and eliminate Naidu from politics,” the animated NTR is seen directing Rajasekhara Reddy. However, Union Minister and NTR’s daughter D Purandhareswari objected to the TDP using NTR for advertisements.
TDP leader K Yerran Naidu said the Congress had no right to use NTR for its campaign. “The Congress mainly banked on the backstabbing issue in 1999 elections. But, the people rejected it by reposing faith in the TDP. The Congress did not use the backstabbing issue in 2004 elections,” Yerran Naidu recalled. The campaign of the Congress on the `family coup’ against Naidu would not work its favour, he averred. By using NTR for the campaign, the 112-year Congress was exposing its bankruptcy, he alleged.
Yellow brigade gears up to follow its pol(l)e stars
V V Balakrishna
First Published : 02 Mar 2009 04:01:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 02 Mar 2009 01:22:14 PM IST
HYDERABAD: As the announcement of the election schedule is likely any day, the TDP has decided to fully utilise the services of actors NTR Jr and Balakrishna.
Both will launch their campaigns from Andhra region this month. NTR Jr will kickstart his first-ever political campaign from Itchapuram, Srikakulam district, on March 12. He will stay overnight on March 11 at Nimmakur in Krishna district, the birth place of TDP founder NT Ramarao.
The next day, he will garland NTR’s statue in Nimmakur.
From there, he will reach Itchapuram by a chopper where he will launch his campaign on a specially-decorated ratham. According to TDP sources, NTR Jr will continue his campaign continuously for 40 days.
The TDP leaders are upbeat now as there were doubts earlier over his intentions __ the film star had skipped Yuva Garjana in Guntur. Meanwhile, Balakrishna, son of NTR, will launch his second leg of campaign from Tada in Nellore district on March 8. It is not clear if he too will continue his campaign till the elections.
Balakrishna had already toured Rayalaseema last month. However, the TDP leaders are pinning hopes on NTR Jr to draw crowds to their meetings. The TDP is strategically using the services of both the actors in the Andhra region. This is to neutralise the impact of Chiranjeevi’s Praja Rajyam which has made inroads in several Andhra districts. As the impact of PRP is being felt in Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and the twin Godavari districts, the TDP wants NTR Jr to start his campaign from Itchapuram and turn the tide of popular support in favour of the TDP. Later, Balakrishna will tour the north Andhra districts.
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.
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.
PRP moves High Court for common symbol
Express News Service
First Published : 05 Feb 2009 03:38:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 05 Feb 2009 09:09:40 AM IST
HYDERABAD: Seeking a common symbol (rail engine) for the party to contest the ensuing Assembly elections, Praja Rajyam Party general secretary Allu Aravind filed a writ petition in the High Court here on Wednesday.
The Election Commission, in a letter, had informed the PRP leadership that it was not possible to allot a common symbol to all its candidates in the next elections. The letter dated Jan 20 reached the PRP office on Monday. Following this, the PRP filed a petition in the High Court seeking a common symbol for its Assembly and Lok Sabha candidates. In the petition, the PRP leader stated that party founder Chiranjeevi was receiving overwhelming response and the PRP would field its candidates in all the Assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies.
He claimed that 50 lakh people had taken membership forms from the party and explained that they had sought ‘rail engine’ symbol for the party, but that the EC had rejected it. A few weeks ago, Chiranjeevi approached Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami with a request to allot a common symbol.
After examining the request of PRP, the EC turned it down.
In its letter, the EC recalled past instances when the TDP and TRS sought a common symbol. When the TDP was launched in 1982, the EC informed the party leaders that they could select one symbol provided no independent candidate sought the same in any Assembly segment.
Fortunately, when the TDP selected the symbol, no independent insisted on the same in any segment.
The Election Commission also rejected allotment of a common symbol to the TRS after its inception. But, the TRS approached the High Court. Basing on the court’s directive, the EC allotted a common symbol to it.
At the same time, the EC also clarified that allotting a common symbol to the TRS was an exception and no ‘new party’ should take it as a precedent in future. Pointing out these two examples, the EC categorically said it was not possible to allot a common symbol to the PRP. Given that campaigning for elections wouldn't be easy without a common symbol, the PRP has taken recourse to legal remedies.
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