Fight between Dharmana, Gunda families

April 07, 2014 11:40 pm | Updated May 21, 2016 09:18 am IST - SRIKAKULAM:

As the political scene in Srikakulam Assembly constituency is getting intense in the run up to the general elections, poll pundits feel it will be a tug of war between the Dharmana and Gunda families again. Former Minister Dharmna Prasada Rao who had represented the segment in 2004 and 2009 on the Congress ticket is all set to try his luck again, but this time as YSR Congress candidate.

On the other hand, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has fielded Gunda Lakshmidevi, wife of former Minister Gunda Appalasuryanarayana who was defeated in last two general elections. Though Mr. Suryanarayana had represented the segment four times in the past, the party leadership asked him this time to make way for his wife as it felt that the latter could not able to give a tough fight to Mr. Prasada Rao.

After Mr. Prasada Rao shifted loyalty from the Congress, speculation is rife that Srikakulam Youth Congress president Chowdary Satish will be the candidate for the party for this segment.

Going by the credentials of these candidates, all have their own strength and loopholes. Mr. Prasada Rao is solely banking on development plank and trying to woo the voters by listing out his ‘achievements’ such as good road network in major colonies, construction of the RIMS hospital, budget hotel and TTD Kalyanamandapam. “I request voters to compare the developmental activities undertaken during my tenure with those done during the TDP regime. I hope people would prefer me to others,” said Mr. Prasada Rao. He did not forget to add that the only YSRC can ensure the development of the downtrodden. However, it is an open secret that the anti-incumbency is giving him the jitters.

The TDP is banking on the clean image of Ms. Lakshmidevi, former deputy chairperson of the Srikakulam municipality, and the party’s strength.

Despite having an organised cadre in Gara mandal, lack of good network in Srikakulam town is worrying those at the helms of the affairs. “The TDP’s recent Praja Garjana proved that voters wanted a change in the administration,” Lakshmidevi said.

Congress banks on youth

Though the Congress cadre was in for a severe blow in the aftermath of State bifurcation moves, the party has relied on Mr. Satish who holds sway over a dedicated network of youth with influence of his father Chowdary Purushottam Naidu, State associate president of the APNGOs, as an added advantage.

“The Congress alone is not responsible for State division. I do not feel it can disturb my poll prospects,” an optimistic Mr. Satish says. All the candidates are promising the voters the merger of nearby villages with the municipality, integrated drainage system and proper water facility to all colonies.

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