Date:16/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/16/stories/2005051603170500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Bypoll: taking on the mighty

Staff Reporter

ANANTAPUR: One can't resist patting Mallesh, who is planning to enter the by-election fray at Penukonda, for his courage to take on the mighty. But, don't think he is dummy for any serious candidate or a wealthy man willing to shed some of his earnings. He is a dwarf!

A member of the Network of Persons with Disability has established a welfare society for the dwarfs. He has been fighting for recognition of the dwarfs as physically challenged for the last five years, but in vain.

He opines that challenged persons were unable to get due recognition in the society purely due to lack of representation and reservation in politics.

He hopes to build a society sans disabilities, if he is elected as a legislator.

Seeking support of the people he contends that their vote to either Congress or TDP is not going to make any difference at any level. Nor it is going to shift the power.

If one is following the recent incidents of violence in Anantapur district, particularly after the murder of Paritala Ravindra, he is bound to get some sort of shivering down his spine. But, all this does not bother Mallesh. He is resolved to take on the mighty in Penukonda. Best of luck Mallesh!