Date:18/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/18/stories/2008051853890400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Telugu Desam Party well placed in Therlam

V. Chalapathi Rao

Elections have traditionally been a fight between Vasireddy and Tentu families

VIZIANAGARAM: For the first time since the constituency was formed in 1978, the Congress is out of the fray following the understanding it reached with the Telugu Desam Party in the byelection to Therlam.

It has traditionally been a fight between Vasireddy and Tentu families. While Tentu Jayaprakash (TDP), whose death caused the byelection, won the seat five times, Vasireddy Varada Rama Rao, MLC, was elected twice. This will be the last byelection in Therlam as it will be merged with Bobbili in the delimitation exercise.

Lok Satta Party has queered the pitch for the TDP by throwing its hat in the ring in order to oppose “dynastic politics.”

Unfulfilled promises

Most of the promises made by these traditional archrivals, particularly on mitigating drinking water problem and giving priority to irrigation sources, remain unfulfilled. As 70 per cent of the land is rain-fed, migration of labour to other districts is not uncommon. Women trudging miles to fetch drinking water, bad roads and dilapidated school buildings are a common sight. There are no colleges in the constituency, barring the government junior college at Badangi.

Novices

Tentu Lakshmi Naidu, heir apparent of Jayaprakash, has decided not to make any promise. The election would have been unanimous had not the Lok Satta Party nominee Reddi Lakshmi Naidu and two independents entered the fray. Interestingly, all the four candidates are in the age group of 27 to 35 years, well-qualified and political novices. The absence of a Congress candidate, the ‘Tentu’ family name and the sympathy following Jayaprakash’s death are the major plus points for Mr. Tentu Lakshmi Naidu. Moreover, Mr. Vasireddy Varada Rama Rao has called upon party cadres, traditional Congress voters and sympathisers to vote for TDP.

Seeking support

Though it remains to be seen whether the electorate responds positively to Mr. Rama Rao’s call, the task of the TDP candidate has become a bit easier. Yet, the TDP contestant is meeting Congress leaders as well as his own party men and seeking their support. Reddi Lakshmi Naidu (LSP) and other two independents, who are opposing the understanding between the two main political parties, are also meeting traditional Congress voters to seek their support.