As the dust settles down after hectic electioneering, it is time for politicians to relax, catch up with reading and spend some time with family members.
And that’s exactly what senior BJP leader Bandaru Dattatreya is doing.
Mr. Dattatreya, who is contesting from Secunderabad Lok Sabha constituency, was on his toes right from early morning each day to meet electors. Padayatras and door-to-door campaigning were his preferred modes.
With people casting their votes and deciding the fate of contestants on Wednesday, Mr. Dattatreya held a review meeting with important party functionaries of all the seven Assembly segments on Thursday and assessed the situation.
Telugu Desam activists from Khairatabad Assembly constituency too attended the meeting and gave their feedback.
Exuding confidence that he would emerge victorious, he claimed that lot of “cross-voting” took place and supporters of Congress, TRS and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) too favoured the BJP.
Feeling of reliefWith the busy period over, he is now spending time reading Ramayana and other books. He will also resume his daily routine of walking for an hour and doing yoga exercises. He is also planning to campaign in Seemandhra, where polling will be held on May 7.
For Telangana BJP president and candidate from Amberpet Assembly constituency, G. Kishan Reddy, curtains came down on electioneering no doubt. But more than that, he is feeling relieved as he was under “pressure” ever since he took over as BJP chief.
First, the by-elections to Nizamabad Assembly seat were held, followed by by-polls to Mahabubnagar and Parkal, even as the Telangana movement continued.
Then the alliance with Telugu Desam was firmed up and there was talk during the crucial passage of the AP Reorganisation Bill in Parliament that BJP might not support it. All these situations caused tension and pressure, he added. He too plans to visit Seemandhra in the next couple of days to undertake campaigning.
Another BJP leader, N. Ramchander Rao, who contested from Malkajgiri Assembly seat, said the run-up to the elections was quite hectic and he used to hold meetings till midnight with party workers on a daily basis. But he is relaxed now and on a thanksgiving visit to the residences of some of the important BJP and TDP activists.
Mr. Rao, who is a senior advocate, said he would start attending criminal courts from next week, even as he and the other contestants are eagerly awaiting the results.
