Date:24/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/24/stories/2008052458130300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

TDP gets across the message loud and clear

S. Harpal Singh

Naidu has a van with acoustics and illumination systems
Congress road shows had less than expected audience

ADILABAD: The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has emerged a relatively better organised unit so far as electioneering is concerned. The systematic deployment of paraphernalia related to election campaign and the manner of managing supporters at meetings addressed by party chief N. Chandrababu Naidu puts it ahead of Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and Congress.

Congress worst

The Congress has come out the worst in terms of gathering people for election meetings addressed by Chief Minister Y.S. Rajashekhara Reddy at different places in the district. The road shows addressed by him in Boath and Khanapur Assembly constituencies recently were attended by less than expected number people. This did reflect badly on the party managers’ ability to organise.

The TRS is more fortunate in that the people who come to listen to party president K. Chandrashekhara Rao do so voluntarily. And the numbers at the meetings are impressive too like the one at Bhainsa.

The attendance at TDP election meetings is very encouraging as Mr. Naidu likes to quote every time. There was hardly any time when people complained about anything specific. Journalists on election duty vouch for the organisational capacity of the party. The TDP is the only party that has made an organised use of paraphernalia related to election campaign. The ‘Mee Kosam’ entourage of Mr. Naidu, now on campaign duty, comprises of three vans with well-managed acoustic and illumination systems mounted on it.

Generators

There are three 30KVA silent generators mounted on these vehicles that make the job of addressing election rallies even in remote areas quite easy. These generators consume about 50 litres of diesel per day but keep steady the supply of electricity thereby causing a decrease in the headaches of the managers.

A 14 ft X 14 ft water proof tent is used by the TDP president to address press conferences thereby eliminating the need for a hunt for a suitable venue. The tent that can hold about 30 persons has two air conditioners and one air cooler .