In a keen triangular contest in the Kakinada Parliamentary constituency this election, sitting Congress MP M.M. Pallam Raju is banking on his ‘personal credibility’. The TDP has fielded former Minister Thota Narasimham while the YSR Congress candidate is Chalamalasetti Sunil.
Foreseeing a tough contest, Mr. Pallam Raju says, “No doubt, it is a serious fight. I will take my opponents seriously. It is my individual credibility that would help me win the battle.”
At least one developmental programme has been successfully implemented in each village in the constituency and the works were completed with the MPLADS. Prestigious institutions like IIIT, CBSE Teacher Training Centre and Kendriya Vidyalaya in the constituency will certainly bring good fortunes to the students. My relentless efforts in the last five years would help me winning hearts of both elites and masses, he says.
‘No impact of bifurcation’Asked about the possible impact of the State bifurcation on the coming polls, Mr. Pallam Raju says there is no wave - either positive or negative. “During the poll campaign, it is being noticed that the people are not bothered about the division of the State. None is holding the Congress responsible for it,” he claims.
“The Congress was in a defensive mode when bifurcation decision was announced. But, soon it realised that people at the grass roots level were not keen on the issue. There may be a few, who have concern for Hyderabad. But, as a whole, the division issue may not have any impact on the outcome of this election, says Mr. Pallam Raju, who is contesting the polls sixth time in a row.
