Date:22/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/22/stories/2008052257130300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Youth favour Congress in Dommat

J.B.S. Umanadh

TRS misguiding the youth by presenting a dismal job market: Congress nominee

Siddipet(Medak): A group of young men holding Congress flags in their hands were found shouting “Jai Telangana” in the narrow lanes of Kondapaka in Dommat Assembly segment indicating the mood of the youth.

A day after the successful public meeting of Telangana Rashtra Samiti chief K. Chandrashekhar Rao in Kondapak the division of opinion between the youth and the middle aged has become visible.

“The ex-MLA S. Ramlinga Reddy of TRS did nothing. But we have to vote for Telangana for our survival,” Pradeep a tea bunk owner said.

The influence of Maoists is such that the police are forced to organise Job-Melas for the youth and counsellings sessions to their parents to keep them away from the influence of extremists. Speaking to The Hindu in Kondapaka the Congress candidate Manohar Rao, a social activist, claimed that the youth are with him. Manohar, a native of Bhompalli of Mirdoddi mandal has been working with the youth since 1976 through his Navajyothi Youth Club.

He said that the TRS has been misguiding the youth by presenting a dismal job market scenario which is not true. The successful road show of Chief Minister in Mirdoddi recently boosted the chances of Congress, Mr. Rao said. On the other hand the TRS launched a hi-tech campaign targeting the youth. While the Telangana cultural bash has been an instant hit, speeches of T. Harish Rao in the State Assembly projected on LCD screens, is attracting large numbers.