As the countdown for the general elections begins, major candidates in the fray in Guntur Lok Sabha segment are singing contrasting tunes of welfare and development to gain voters’ confidence.
Post bifurcation, industrialists-turned-politicians are pretty confident that the region, rich in natural and human resources, will attract a flight of capital investment from all over the country.
Galla Jayadev, managing director of Amara Raja Batteries and former chairman of Confederation of Indian Industries, A.P., says that a blueprint for the industrial development of the coastal and Rayalaseema region has been made promising jobs to 3.5 crore youths by 2022.
“I am promising a job for every family over a period of time. We need to plan and create infrastructure to realise the tremendous potential of the region. High-speed rail and road network, industrial corridors and skill development centres should be developed to create non-migratory jobs. I am making plans to set up agro-based processing unit,” Mr. Jayadev says.
His major rival and former MP Vallabhaneni Balashourie contesting on YSRC ticket hits back at the promise of creating lakhs of jobs. “Is it possible to create 4.5 lakh jobs here? Can Galla’s say how many jobs they have created out of their industries in the last 25 years? My focus is on creating lasting basic amenities, which include providing potable drinking water to every family, housing, better drainage facilities and road connectivity. I promise to empower boys and girls belonging to weaker sections by setting up spacious hostels in Guntur,” Mr. Balashourie says.
Congress candidate Sk. Abdul Waheed, on his part, is banking on the special package announced by the Congress to develop the region. “Congress is the only party committed to the development of this region,” he says.
While major candidates are slugging it out, M. Udaia Kumar, founder of Indian Christian Secular Party, says local economy will be boosted by creating resource-based employment. “We should make the region investment friendly. Look at Dubai, they have created world class infrastructure in spite of having many disadvantages like non-availability of land and water. I am working on a unique power generation model in which sea water can be used to generate power,” Mr. Udaia Kumar says.
