Bogged down by petty politics, Congress is not able to pack a powerful punch to its arch rival YS Jaganmohan Reddy of YSR Congress. Despite their best efforts, the party leaders couldn’t be content in Parakal in Telangana and Polavaram in coastal Andhra Pradesh.
YSR Cong, TDP ahead
However, YSR Congress chief, Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, has already covered 10 constituencies and has been relentlessly continuing his crusade to win this year’s election as it is a matter of life-and-death for him. The TDP chief, N Chandrababu Naidu, too, is spending more time in the field to attend party affairs.
On the other hand, Kiran and Botsa have so far been busy in holding district-wise review meetings and pacifying disgruntled leaders. Both Chandrababu and Jagan, are likely to complete the first round of their campaigns in all the constituencies prior to the release of the election notification.
In the selection of candidates and campaigns, YSR Congress is in the most advantageous position as it has “ready-made” candidates, who have already kick-started their ‘people-contact campaigns’.
Chandrababu too has completed the selection of candidates. But Congress cadres in Parkal of Warangal district seems unhappy and divided over giving ticket to a former TDP member Samma Rao. They allege that the Congress leadership had a match-fixing deal with the YSRCP, and selected Rao, who is considered to be a ‘weak candidate’, only to ensure the victory of YSRCP candidate Konda Surekha.
In Polavaram, key local leader Karatam Rambabu is unhappy and staying away from poll campaigning as Congress president Sonia Gandhi chose Parvati, thus dismissing his recommendation of a stronger candidate like Bojji. To register his protest, he has also sent his resignation as the chairman of the DCCB.
Further, the party is also facing trouble from health minister Dr DL Ravindra Reddy. Reddy is hell-bent on hurting party chances in crucial Kadapa district.
“The final list of candidates released by the party high command last week has only helped to deepen the differences instead of reducing them,” said a senior Congress leader. Political pandits opine that the Congress took its own time in selecting party candidates for the by-polls, thus losing its valuable time.
From Deccan Herald
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