In Araku, the poll mood is subdued

With Maoists calling the shots in hilly terrains and several leaders being in their hit-list, electioneering is a low-key affair

Tribal hamlets here are plagued by drinking water problem. Though road connectivity to several areas has improved remarkably, public health has remained a matter of concern due to reluctance of doctors and paramedical staff to take up postings in the Agency areas. File Photo: K.R. Deepak

An uneasy calm prevails in Araku (ST) constituency with Maoists calling the shots in the hilly terrains, which have close proximity to Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Since several leaders figure in the hit list of Left-wing extremists, many of the elected representatives prefer to stay in towns. No wonder electioneering has always remained a low-key with parties holding meetings in roadside villages and shandies (weekly markets).

Union Minister for Tribal Affairs and Panchayat Raj V. Kishore Chandra Deo, who is seeking re-election on Congress ticket, banks on development plank and his clean image. Mr. Deo says the anti-Congress sentiment following bifurcation will not dent his prospects.

He claims his contribution in stalling bauxite mining, distribution of pattas to Girijans under the Forest Rights Act and sanction of crores of rupees for improving infrastructure will ensure his win with a handsome margin.

“We have done a lot to improve roads and health and provide other basic amenities in the constituency, which is recognised by the Election Commission as the largest in the country,” Mr. Deo says.

The YSR Congress has made inroads into the tribal belt and is likely to field Kothapalli Geeta, a political novice, who runs an NGO. Uncertainty continues whether the TDP will field a candidate here or ask the BJP to contest as part of the alliance.

The CPI(M) will field Midiam Babu Rao, former Bhadrachalam MP.

Hamlets plagued by water problem

Tribal hamlets here are plagued by drinking water problem. Though road connectivity to several areas has improved remarkably, public health has remained a matter of concern due to reluctance of doctors and paramedical staff to take up postings in the Agency areas.

Acute water shortage in places close to mandal headquarters has resulted in villagers trekking long distances to fetch water from hill streams.

“The promise of providing water through pipeline has remained a pipe dream,” points out Korra Chander Rao of Kumkumpudi in GK Veedhi mandal.

A slew of promises made during Araku Declaration on January 12, 2011, by former Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy to provide basic amenities in all tribal hamlets has mostly remained on paper. It emphasised on a time-bound programme on drinking water by constructing overhead tanks in all hamlets.

“As the people of Agency belt are subjected to several water-borne diseases, the declaration should have become a reality by now,” AP Girijan Sangham leader Killo Surendra says.