Andhra Pradesh

A different number game

Politicians have a fascination for favourite numbers. Call it superstition or belief. If the legendary NTR preferred number 9, others preferred the number ‘393’. Some have the attraction towards number ‘1’ and do not mind spending money for it too.

But some politicians have developed liking towards numbers which are not exactly fancy numbers. One legislator who is facing a bypoll from the twin cities has the registration number which tallies with the margin of votes with which he emerged victorious in 2004 elections. And now we come across a Minister who has the same registration number as that of the Chief Minister.

The Secunderabad Cantonment Board elections on Sunday saw not only a rise in the temperatures but also the polling percentage. All through the day people went to polling stations, cast their votes and returned home.

But a real shocker was when people were being given money by middlemen to vote for particular candidates at most of the polling stations. This was not all; price of the vote was being bargained by the voters as well, right in the vicinity of polling s tation!

Two minutes only… Two minutes please… Just two minutes… Greater Hyderabad Congress Committee chief D. Nagender bellowed into the mike while calling all and sundry to speak at Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s election meeting.

It clearly annoyed many speakers. “Two minutes is enough only to acknowledge leaders sitting on the stage, what will I speak?” asked one. Mr. Nagender came up with a solution, urging them to get into the subject without formalities.

Thus they spoke: “Sri Greater Devender garu…this election…” uttering just his name in the process. Watching all these sitting on stage, Malakpet MLA M. Ranga Reddy said he would speak later. Alas, it never came as Dr. Reddy arrived and there was simply no chance thereafter!

It was a pleasant surprise for many. The presence of former Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, in their colony didn’t go unnoticed. Residents of Teachers Colony in East Marredpally had a surprise guest last night. After going round parts of Musheerabad and Secunderabad Assembly constituencies, Mr. Naidu decided to halt there for the night at the municipal playground. Tents were pitched and shaminas erected. The long convoy of vehicles, OB vans of TV channels, part y workers and the flurry of activity provided excitement for those living around the playground. And they were not let down. It would be long before they would forget the VIP guest.

Guess what is the peculiar problem being faced by candidates during election campaign in the scorching heat? Nuisance created by eunuchs demanding ‘inaam’ from them. Eunuchs are giving jitters to contestants by demanding money from them while visiting lanes and by-lanes to woo voters. A group of eunuchs encircle the candidates on the pretext of blessing them and demand money. Those heeding to their demands are spared with blessings, while oth ers who refuse to part with money are showered with curses.