The number of Independent candidates competing for Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha constituency is more than those representing various political parties. Some Independents are likely to make a dent in the vote share of the main parties.
Unlike the major parties which fielded non-local candidates, the Independent candidates due to their affinity with the voters can strike a chord with them.
Noted physician Kutikuppala Surya Rao carved a niche for himself as a ‘friendly neighbourhood doctor’ through his clinic at Kancharapalem in the last three decades.
“In a democracy the voter is the king and I have decided to treat them that way by showering petals on them,” he said before boarding the hired chopper to conduct his election campaign on Monday.
BlueprintBuddha Chandrasekhar, NRI from the UK, who has his roots in Vizag, has prepared a blueprint for development of Seemandhra post bifurcation: Rich Andhra 2020. It’s a 3-hour detailed presentation on how to make Andhra rich using the existing resources.
The presentation was trending on social media circles and drew good response.
“Being a native of Vizag, I approached the major parties and suggested to them to give the party ticket to local candidates but it did not happen. I decided to enter the fray and gave a number of presentations to allow voters to make a right choice. It’s for them to decide,” Mr. Chandrasekhare said.
He has gathered information on the injustice being done to Vizag be it on the railway front, establishing of an Innovation University, which was promised by the Prime Minister more than eight years ago, and other issues.
Mr. Chandrasekhare obtained the information from Prof. A. Bhagavanulu, an RTI activist and president of Uttarandhra Rashtriya Samithi (URS) as also from online sources.
Telugu NRI groups in the UK and the USA have extended their support to him.
While nine candidates are contesting on behalf of various parties, 13 are contesting as Independents.
The other Independent candidates in the fray are: Ronanki Chalapathi Rao, Tanuku Divakar, Gedela Krishna Rao, Brahma Swaroop Kashibhatta, Durga Prasad Guntu, Uma Maheswara Rao Areti, Jampana Padmaja, Seemakurthi Srinivasu, Satyanarayana Patnaik Kurada, Yammanaru Venkat Sreenadh Reddy and Surapureddy Nagendra Sairam.
