Date:17/05/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/05/17/stories/2004051702460500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Admirers play a role in Kotla couple's victory

By Our Staff Reporter

KURNOOL, MAY. 16. The image and the goodwill generated by Kotla Vijayabhaskar Reddy, former Chief Minister, who passed away two years ago helped his siblings win the election in Kurnool district. His son, Suryaprakasa Reddy, and daughter-in-law, K. Sujathamma, won from Kurnool parliament and Dhone Assembly respectively.

The family faced the biggest financial crisis on the eve of elections, which moved many admirers of Vijayabhaskar Reddy. Yet, the couple won the election with a huge margin trouncing the most influential K.E. brothers. Mr. K.E. Krishna Murthy lost to Mr. Suryaprakasa Reddy while Mrs. Sujathamma won over Mr. K.E. Prabhakar in Dhone. Many admirers of Vijayabhaskar Reddy who owed their success to the helping hand extended by the great leader campaigned for the couple in their localities and villages.

Mr. Suryaprakasa Reddy and Mrs. Sujatha had no knowledge of this invisible helping hand. Mr. Laxmana Swamy, former Chairman of State Finance Commission, who hails from Kurnool district and settled down at Nellore came to Kurnool during elections, rented a room in a hotel and campaigned for Mr. Suryaprakasa Reddy in Ulindkonda and other areas.

Similarly, representatives of bank employees association, which opposed the policies of the BJP Government went round the constituency and supported the Congress.

Many individuals and groups who have admiration for the family contributed their mite and helped the couple defeat the political giants.

More than the moves of the opponent groups, the couple struggled most of the time to overcome the financial troubles. At one stage, the family found it hard to meet the medical expenses of Mrs. Syamalamma, wife of Vijayabhaskar Reddy and other family expenditure.

Mrs. Sujathamma, who entered politics for the first time, owed her success to Vijayabhaskar Reddy saying that wherever she went people recalled the help they received from Vijayabhaskar Reddy.

Many installations like drinking water schemes, school buildings and roads remained testimony to the magnanimity of Vijayabhaskar Reddy.

Mr. Sudhakar Babu, a close associate of the family, said the present election was fought by Vijayabhaskar Reddy and by the next election the couple should learn to fight on their own.

Now the supporters of Kotla family are aspiring for a Ministerial berth for Mrs. Sujathamma to strengthen the Congress party in Kurnool parliamentary constituency.