The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : It’s test of political parties’ strengths and weaknesses

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Saturday, May 10, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

It’s test of political parties’ strengths and weaknesses

S. Harpal Singh

ADILABAD: The byelection for Adilabad Lok Sabha seat seems to have fostered a positive attitude among the sitting MLAs from six of the seven Assembly segments that come under the constituency. Almost all of them have taken the byelection as an opportunity to test their strengths and weaknesses in their respective constituencies.

The exposure of strengths will not matter as much as that of the weaknesses to someone like Koneru Konappa, Congress party MLA from Sirpur constituency.

“The lacunae in terms of development will definitely be exposed while we campaign for our candidate. There being ample time until the 2009 elections for rectifying the mistakes or delay caused in taking development to given places, I consider this as a good opportunity,” he observed.

Adilabad legislator C. Ramchander Reddy, also of Congress, concurs with the opinion of Koneru Konappa. He says the exposure of weaknesses if any will only be welcome.

“We will take remedial action immediately when any of the lapses come to our notice. But, I do not think we have erred anywhere,” was how the senior Congressman put it.

Narayan Rao Patel, Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) rebel and MLA from Mudhole constituency however, does not feel the byelection will become an occasion to expose weaknesses. “My constituents proffer complete support to me. It is only because I have never neglected them when it comes to development,” he said quoting examples of how they stood behind him even if he took the decisions that were considered anti-party by others.

No dissidence

The byelections have also brought in another positive aspect so far as dissidence in respective parties is concerned. Mr. A. Indrakaran Reddy, Nirmal MLA, does not feel any threat to his prospects as the Congress party candidate in the byelection.

“There will be no dissident activity in my election as it will not serve the interest of either the individual MLAs or the party concerned. I expect full support from Mr. Ramchander Reddy, Mr. Konappa, Mr. Narayan Rao Patel and Mr. Soyam Bapu Rao, TRS rebel MLA from Boath constituency,” he stated.

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