Date:16/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/16/stories/2008051658010300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Voter apathy major issue

S. Venugopal

MAHABUBNAGAR: Voter apathy and hostility are major issues that the three main contestants in Jadcherla Assembly constituency will have to contend with in the May 29 byelections.

Dr. Mallu Ravi (Congress), M. Chandra Sekhar alias Yerra Sekhar (TDP) and Dr. C. Laxma Reddy (TRS) are being confronted with searching questions by voters during the poll campaign. Mallu Ravi, who has forged ahead of others in campaign, is queried on four issues – rehabilitation of those ousted by the Jadcherla SEZ, categorisation of SCs, his non-local status (he hails from Khammam district) and the fourth lift of Kalwakurthy lift irrigation scheme.

Yerra Sekhar of the TDP is also facing the voters’ wrath for not visiting the constituency since his defeat in 2004 election. Dr. C. Laxma Reddy is facing stiff anti-incumbency factor for not being available to voters and party men alike.