The mystery over the sudden emergence of vinyl billboards in places like Vijayawada and other places in coastal Andhra Pradesh is slowly unravelling.
It is evident from the slogans written on these hoardings that they have been erected by those spearheading the Samaikyandhra movement.
There has been speculation during the past few days that this campaign is being funded by leaders belonging to the Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy’s camp.
Rhetorical statement
Interestingly, these bill boards carry Mr. Reddy’s rhetorical statement in the Assembly that united AP was not merely a slogan but a matter of principle. Sources said a top ad agency is extending its resources to come up with ideas and pithy slogans to generate momentum for the Samaikyandhra movement.
Chief Minister’s camp followers confirmed that several MPs and MLAs from the Seemandhra were pressuring him to launch a new party stating that the Congress has no future after bifurcation of the State.
“Mr. Reddy does not want to take any decision now. The situation is fluid as there is no clarity whether the bifurcation process will be completed within the fixed time frame,” sources said.
Mr. Reddy could take the call only after the Bill has been sent back to the President.
Meeting “He will take into consideration the views of the party MPs and MLAs when he meets them at a brain storming session after the conclusion of the Assembly session,” sources said and added that it was too early to say whether he is all set to launch the new party.
“If he takes the plunge and forms a new party, Mr. Reddy would field candidates in all the 294 assembly constituencies. There is sizeable Seemandhra population in Telangana districts including Twin Cities which may plump for the Samaikandhra party,” sources claimed.
On his part, Mr. Rajagopal, who has been credited with being the brain behind the campaign, denied that he had anything to do with the hoardings. “I do not know who is putting up posters and I do not feel political parties are behind this,’’ he told reporters in Guntur on Thursday.
Political circles are abuzz with rumours that the Vijayawada MP was pitching hard for launch of the new party after the bifurcation Bill is debated and sent back to Centre.