Date:19/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/19/stories/2005051909780400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Congress ahead in Penukonda bypoll campaign

Staff Reporter

TDP activists lie low, fearing arrest

ANANTAPUR: Campaigning for the Penukonda bypolls in the district is gaining momentum with the Congress and the TDP going all out to woo voters.

The ruling Congress launched its campaign on the last day of filing nomination on May 16 and is being spearheaded by the Minister for Panchayat Raj, J.C. Diwakar Reddy.

Though campaigning at this level is new for the Congress candidate, B. Sriramulu, the presence of senior leaders has made things easy for him. Apart from Mr. Diwakar Reddy, all party leaders in the district -- G. Bhanumati and S. Gangadhar -- are canvassing actively for the party.

On the other hand, the TDP appears to have lost the momentum to some extent after the violence on May 13. The party nominee, P. Sunita, had campaigned on behalf of her husband, Ravindra, last year.

Party leaders of the district -- Parthasarathi, K. Srinivasulu, V. Hanumantharaya Chowdary - and legislators are pitching in for Ms. Sunita.

Mr. Parthasarathi has been a close follower of Ravindra and represents a dominant backward classes community in the constituency.

But, key activists of the party have been keeping off the campaigning after the Penukonda violence fearing arrest by the police. The police have reportedly identified some 150 TDP activists responsible for the violence.