Intense political debate on the probable candidate for the second MLC representing the local bodies is taking interesting twists and turns with each passing day, as new names are cropping up.
While it is sure that the TDP Visakhapatnam Rural unit president Pappala Chalapathi Rao is a candidate, speculation is rife on the other probable names. Unfortunately, the discussion is not about the stature of the candidate or the ability to win votes, but on how much he or she is willing to spend! So much for empowering grassroots democratic institutions.
The other talks are about the procedure whether it will be a single ballot paper or two.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Returning Officer finally has confirmed that it would be two ballot papers, which means the Telugu Desam Party is likely to retain advantage in both the seats.
Appease the boss,
come what may
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has become a regular visitor to the port city and officials went overboard to please him and made his scheduled visit on Saturday, which was later cancelled, a smooth one while in the process damaging a sporting facility. They did not think twice before digging up the AU Jubilee Grounds to create a temporary helipad to help the CM drive down to Rushikonda, a good eight km, to attend the reception of a City MLA. It is surprising that officials did not think about the secured Coast Guard facility at Rushikonda.
One’s meat is
another’s poison
Though majority of the YSR Congress leaders and workers are in jubilant mood in Srikakulam district, with the former PCC chief Botcha Satyanaryana joining the party, former Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao’s supporters are apparently not happy with the development. Mr. Botcha used to control the cadre both in Palakonda and Rajam as both the segments come under the Vizianagaram Parliamentary constituency. Moreover, he has strong influence over the Kapus which has the highest number of votes in the district. It is an open secret that Mr. Rao and Mr. Satyanarayana do not gel well, meaning Mr. Rao’s group do not like the influence of Mr. Botcha’s family in the district. Now, with his official entry into the YSRCongress, Mr. Satyanarayana is expected to have his say in district politics too.
(With inputs by
G.S. Subrahmanyam
and K. Srinivasa Rao)