Vizag beaches to be beautified

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, May 29, 2014: If everything goes as per plan, with in two years, the face of the long beach road from RK Beach to Bheemili would get a facelift offering a fun ride to the visitors and also to the locals who wish to getaway from daily hectic schedules.

APTDC officials are waiting for the new state government to sworn in to immediately launch works under Vizag-Bheemili Beach Corridor Circuit Project that have been pending since for a while.

Though the then union tourism minister, K Chiranjeevi had laid foundation to the works related to the project in May last year, state bifurcation has cast a shadow on it.  Works came to a standstill due to pandemonium prevailed since last year due to the tremors of state bifurcation and then the general elections.

The tenders were only called for the beautification of RK beach and the bids were finalized. Works have been launched but moving on a snail’s pace.

“Though 9 nodes have been identified to develop between Bheemili and RK beach at an approximate length of 30km stretch, works for only RK Beach beautification has begun before the polls, but they are not moving on a brisk pace. We are expecting to speed up the works once the new state government is formed,” said APTDC, deputy engineer Satyanarayana.

Union government had sanctioned Rs 49 crs for the beach circuit project and identified Bheemili, Pavaralakonda, Mangamaripeta, Thotlakonda, Bavikonda, Rushikonda, near INS Kalinga, Kailasagiri and RK Beach to spruce up with the funds. Landscaping, lighting, plantation, parks, benches and kiosks would be set up at these sites as part of the tourism project.

Both the technical and financial tenders for RK beach project at a cost of Rs 8 cr has been already finalized and for Rushikonda technical bids has been cleared and financial tenders for Rs 4 crs has to be invited. APTDC officials are confident that all the works will be completed within 2 years if all the tenders are completed and other formalities are finished. 

Demand for 25 districts in AP

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, May 28, 2014:  As the appointed day of Telangana state is nearing, several groups are demanding reorganization of districts in the successor state of Andhra Pradesh state for administrative convenience. 

For implementation of any development or welfare programmes of either Central or State government, as the area of the present districts is large, overseeing these programmes by the respective collectors is becoming extremely difficult.

There is a demand to make a parliamentary constituency with 7 Assembly segments area, into one district, which will be an ideal unit for better administration and for co-ordination with the peoples’ representatives. Currently Seemandhra has 13 districts- 9 in coastal Andhra region 4 in Rayalaseema.  Now there is a demand to reorganize these 13 into 25 districts.

In some cases one parliamentary constituency is spread over two or three districts, coordination with MP and MLAs has also become increasingly difficult. For instance, area coming under Araku Parliament constituency is spread in Vizag, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and East Godavari districts.  

There is a situation where one MP has to attend three district Zilla Parishad meetings which is very difficult. At present, there are more number of districts than the number of parliamentary constituencies in the states such as Odisha, Karnataka and Kerala.

“As such, the divided Andhra Pradesh should have 25 districts with the area of jurisdiction coinciding with one parliamentary constituency and 7 assembly segments which will help in effective implementation of government programmes. Neighbouring Odisha has 21 lok sabha segments  30 revenue districts and Karnataka has 28 lok sabha seats and 30 districts,” Vizag MP, Kambhampati Haribabu told this correspondent.

Haribabu added that he had already explained the concept to the chief minister in the waiting N Chandrababu Naidu when he met him at Delhi recently. The local MP added that he would take up the issue as and when the new state government is formed.

He also said that decentralised development across Seemandhra region should be planned when the decision on new capital is to be taken in view of the difficult situation arised due to the concentrated development in and around Hyderabad.  

Administrative structure such as legislative assembly, secretariat, ministers and legislators quarters can be at the place of political capital and High Court can be at another city or region. While secretaries of the different departments stay at capital, all other different Heads of Departments can be located at different places. For example, the head quarters for endowment can be at Tirupathi, fisheries at Kakinada, agriculture at Anantapur, and ports at Visakhapatnam.

Trouble brews against PCPIR

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, May 27, 2014: The proposed Petroleum Chemical Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR) between Vizag and Kakinada is yet to take off, but trouble is definitely brewing against the government’s ambitious project as the environmental activists and political parties opposing the project are getting ready for a fresh a bout of agitation.

In an attempt to attract global investments in petroleum sector, union government planned PCPIRs in various states and sanctioned one for Andhra Pradesh between Vizag and Kakinada.  

Accordingly state government formed a special purpose vehicle- Visakhapatnam- Kakinada Petroleum Chemical Petrochemical Investment Region Special Development Authority   (VK PCPIR SDA) was formed in this regard in 2008.

State government appointed APIIC as the nodal agency for development of PCPIR and planning to invest around Rs 19, 031 crores to provide infrastructure. Government aimed to attract Rs 3.43lakh crore investments with employment potential of 12 lakhs.

PCPIR is considered as one of the key projects for the successor state of Andhra Pradesh after the state bifurcation to trigger growth and local economy besides providing employment in the region.

While the environmentalists are raising objections over the PCPIR proposal and demanding the authorities to scrap the project, industrialists, businessmen argue that the project must be grounded, which can spur economic growth in this region.

“With the given projection of industries, the PCPIR is definitely a threat to sensitive eco system along the coast. The investment region and the pollution caused will definitely have impact on the marine resources and the humans in the core and buffer areas. At the crude oil refineries proposed fossil and dirty fuels are burnt. Acidic gases like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide are released into the air. They are very dangerous,” said senior professor of department of environment at Andhra University, Dr EUB Reddi.

Reddi opined instead marine and agri based industries can be planned to avoid environment related issues, taking advantage of the coast.

CII, Vizag chapter former chairman and MD of Sravan Shipping, G Sambasiva Rao asserted that the PCPIR should be established at any cost as it would trigger economic activity in the region and added If PCPIR comes up it generates employment opportunities in lakhs, helps in establishing allied industries providing indirect employment too.  

“We have already passed resolutions against the project in as many as 97 villages that are going to be affected by the PCPIR. It will leave an environmental disaster behind us. Very soon we are planning a fresh round stir by creating awareness among the villagers going to be affected by the project,” said, CPM city secretary, B Lokanadham.

Recently the PCPIR SDA constituted a Committee with experts of the concerned departments to examine the objections raised over the draft master plan released last year. After a thorough examination, the Committee has recommended for incorporation of valid objections and accordingly, the Draft Master Plan and Zonal Development Plans were revised.

Naidu's trusted aide, Ashok in Modi Cabinet

By SNV Sudhir

 Visakhapatnam, May 26, 2014:  TD’s senior most leader and Vizianagaram MP, Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, who was sworn in as cabinet minister is the only MP from Andhra Pradesh to  be part of Modi government. Though, M Venkaiah Naidu, who is also from Andhra Pradesh is a member in the Modi Cabinet, he was elected to Rajyasabha from Karnataka. Ashok, 62, is a scion of the Pusapati royal family of  Vizinagaram.  

In a political career spanning nearly 35 years, he was elected to Andhra  Pradesh Assembly seven times and held various ministries in the state cabinet. He almost
won every election except in 2004.

Ashok is a considered as a trusted aide of TD chief N Chandrababu Naidu. He was one of the key persons of Naidu’s camp during the infamous coup in TD in 1995 which ousted the then chief minister and party founder, NT Rama Rao.

He is known as a man of integrity and honesty. He was excise minister and commercial taxes minister in N T Rama Rao's cabinet. Later he also held posts of finance and legislative affairs minister and revenue minister in Chandrababu Naidu's cabinet.

He was first elected as Janata Party candidate in 1978 and won 1983, 1985, 1989, 1994, 1999 and 2009 elections as TD candidate.

 “Although we belong to different political parties, I would like to emphasise that am very appreciative indeed, of Ashok’s commitment to clean politics. He has been immune to corruption, and has demonstrated that politics still has a place for individuals who do not indulge in criminal activities. For, this I would like to extend my hearty congratulations to him. His character and personal ethics are praise worthy,” said former Araku MP and Congress senior leader, V Kishore Chandra Deo. 

Desam gears up for civic polls

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, May 26, 2014: After general elections are over, apart from the issue of the new capital, focus has also shifted towards polls for urban civic bodies that were not held due to various reasons.  Polls were held for various civic bodies in March across the state and TD won maximum in Andhra Pradesh.

Polls for Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) were not held due to various issues raised out of the state government’s proposal to merge Anakapalle and Bheemili municipalities into GVMC. There were no objections for the merger of Anakapalle municipality, but a few locals of Bheemili approached court opposing the merger move.

Though polls are yet to be announced by the concerned, TD has already set its sights on GVMC.  It is expected that after TD chief  N Chandrbabu Naidu forms his government, he would  see to that polls for GVMC are held as early as possible keeping in mind the feel good factor the party is enjoying since winning civic bodies, local bodies, assembly and parliament polls.

Vizag has been without a mayor with the term of GVMC's first civic body led by  P Janardhana Rao belonging to Congress expired on February 25, 2012. Since then, GVMC has been administered by a special officer of the rank of principal secretary in the AP Secretariat.

TD leaders and cadre are also upbeat and want the polls for GVMC to be held soon. They have also started strategizing for the polls. YSRC having lost all the assembly segments coming under GVMC limits and the Lok Sabha seat to TD and BJP combine, its cadre is in utter dismay and seems to be directionless.

Of the total 72 wards, while the TD and its allies CPI and CPM had 35 corporators in last GVMC body, Congress was left 26 after 11 of its corporators changed its loyalties to YSRC. Congress Corporator G V Ravi Raju who had switched over to YSRC expecting to get a Assembly ticket had recently just before the general polls joined BJP.

Likewise majority of those owed allegiance to YSRC are now either in a dilemma on continuing in the party due to the bleak chances of the party winning GVMC polls or already shifted loyalties to TD.

Meanwhile, Congress cadres and leaders are nowhere to see and enthusiasm is definitely missing in them on the GVMC polls after the party’s total rout in general polls.

“We want GVMC polls as early as possible. We are sure to win maximum wards. I doubt if other parties will find any persons to contest,” said Kona Tata Rao, TD’s former floor leader in GVMC. 

Move over IT: AP Inc.

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, May 25, 2014:  Think Tanks and entrepreneurs in Seemandhra now want the new chief minister, N Chandrababu Naidu to concentrate on other industry sectors also than only, IT and Software.

Naidu, during his earlier regime, was rather known as CEO of Andhra Pradesh than the Chief Minister due to pro IT approach.  They want  him this time to concentrate on food processing, electronics, technology, petrochemical  and other process industry, manufacturing and SMEs. Four blue collar Jobs for every one white collar job should be the slogan, they say.

“I feel the software story is over. Whatever will come will come. But this time I request Naidu to please concentrate on food processing, electronics, technology, petrochemical and other process industry, manufacturing and SMEs. Please concentrate on the existing distributed growth centres within the state. This will also grow AP in a distributed manner. Four blue collar jobs for every one white collar job should be our slogan. He should be tech CM not high tech CM,” newly formed CoastaRayala Development Forum, chief coordinator, Harish Chandra Prasad told this correspondent.

A young entrepreneur Swathik Addala felt that encouraging SME's would be the key to growth and  government  should consider tax exemptions for entrepreneurs. Design should be given high importance for every initiative, he added.

 This comes at the time when Banglore Inc has shown worry over Naidu returning to helm of the affairs with his earlier aggressive attitude on building brand for Hyderabad, which gave a tough competition to the Garden city in IT and ITES sectors.  Recently a report from Banglore said that IT entrepreneurs there are jittery over Naidu returning to power and it may affect the Brand Banglore again.

However there is also a conflicting opinion being expressed over the suggestion to Naidu to concentrate on other sectors ignoring IT.

“How much employment does PCPIR gives, per crore of investment? For generating employment IT is best.  IT jobs will have cascading effect on economy.  IT is generating 5 lakh crore money circulation in the country which is equal to India's oil imports. Hyderabad has share of 60k crores in 2012-13. Service industry is contributing more than 50pc of GDP. Even china wants to emulate India in IT services.  Due to IT only state VAT collection will increase and state prosper,” said Ravi Babu, an Indian economy

 observer.

An IT enterprnuer Ramakrishna Garimelal said that is only one side of the coin.  “The money earned by Software is back into market and the revenue is generated from the purchases made by Software industry and people,” he added.

Harish Chandra Prasad further added “ Its not that IT firms should not be allowed in Andhra Pradesh. What we are saying is, in this age and time it is futile to go after IT companies like Naidu did 15 years back. That was the right time and he did a great job. With ITIR sanctioned in places like Hyderabad do other places stand a chance.  Today he has to concentrate on other sectors for the uniform growth of AP.”

Vizag getting ready for central varsity!

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, May 22, 2014: Finally central university in Vizag, which has been hanging in fire, seems to become a reality soon.  Though, the then union HRD ministry sanctioned central university for Vizag in 2008 itself, the proposal has never seen the light.

There were also attempts by the then state government, to shift it to Kadapa, citing non availability of land in Vizag. And at that time there were strong protests in the city against the move. Subsequently, due to political instability in the state due to various reasons, the issue was pushed into a cold storage.

With the state bifurcation, the proposal has again cropped up. Recently AP State Council of Higher Education has sought the district administration details about availability of 400 acres of land to set up, Central University and another 100 acres for a Tribal university.

This comes after the outgoing union government, has promised many premier institutions like IIM, IIT and others including a central university for Seemandhra as part of bifurcation deal. There was also a demand for setting up a tribal university by many politicians especially of north Andhra, including Congress senior leader, Kishore Chandra Deo.

The Union HRD ministry had proposed to set up 14 world class universities in the country under the 11th Plan. It also listed the cities.  Vizag’s varsity was supposed to be the one of the three in south India. Similar varsities were planned at Mysore in Karnataka and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu in South. These institutions are supposed to come up on the lines of Cambridge University and Leeds University of UK and Pittsburgh University in USA.

After an uproar from locals, state government then sought the district  administration to send the details of land availability.  In 2008 , the then district collector had identified 700-acre site in the 1,300-acre proposed Knowledge Park at Sabbavaram and sent the details to the state government.

District collector, Solomon Arokia Raj said that the local officials are now busy in identifying the suitable land as per the communication from the state government to set up both central university and tribal university. He added the exercise will be finished in a day or two and would send the report to the concerned. 

Realtors have gala time in Vizag

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, May 23, 2014: Long period of uncertainty seems to be over and realtors are optimistic about the future of real estate sector in the city- the most happening place in the new state. Realtors are getting ready to match the future demand in the sector.

Though, Vizag is not tipped to be the capital of the new state, realtors are blushing with the sudden jump in the inquiries by prospective buyers from other parts of the country and especially by Telugu NRIs.  Transactions have also gone up manifold these days.

The proposed investments in the PCPIR and the reports that the new government would make city a hub for IT, pharma and shipping sector, are the main reasons behind the sudden joy of the city based real estate agents.

Uncertainty dogged the real estate sector since 2009 due to the flip flops by the union government on state bifurcation. Though the UPA announced its firm decision to divide the state in the middle of last year, it didn’t enthuse the realtors as there was no clarity on capital or what Vizag gets in the event of bifurcation.  Later, everyone was busy with polls and its outcome.  

The real estate biz that was expected to take off in Vizag, as the Centre moved swiftly on division of the state, lagged behind until a few months back. In despair, realtors first time in Vizag offered sops to the prospective buyers of the plots.

           

Realtors offered ‘free registration’ to attract customers to at least make some money on no profit no loss basis to tide over the possible financial crisis if no plot is sold in the layouts they developed. 

They were ready to bear 8 percent of the total value of the plot that has to be paid to the land registration department of the state government. There were more than 100 such layouts that are lying idle without many transactions across the district.

“We are very happy that there has been a sudden jump in the inquiries. It is expected to reach the peak in the coming months. We have been waiting for this moment since more than 3 years. However, we are ready to offer plots at affordable prices. Since IT parks were planned in Gambheeram and Madhurawada, demand for plots have gone up there. Due to the PCPIR, there are many inquiries for plots at Atchyuthapuram and surrounding areas. Bhogapuram and Pendurthy are the other favoured places,” said Andhra Pradesh Real Estate Developmen Association (APREDA), Vizag chapter president, G Chakradhar.

There are more than 200 realtors in Vizag.

Disinvestment fear looms large over RINL workers

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, May 24, 2014: Disinvestment fear is looming large over the thousands of workers of state owned, steel maker, Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL) here with the Modi led NDA, having the history of privatizing many PSUs in its earlier stint, set to take reins of the union government at Delhi.

  

Disinvestment was one of the success stories of the AB Vajpayee led NDA government. The disinvestment proposals were halted by the Congress led UPA government due to pressure from allies like the TMC and DMK. It is said that the PMO had already prepared a list of PSUs, that need to be disinvested.

In 2012 RINL which runs Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP), here had missed going for IPO thrice due to June 13 mishap, strong opposition from work force and poor market conditions among other reasons.  Last time it was on October 16, 2012 that the RINL was supposed to be listed in the stock exchange, which was deferred indefinitely.

Due to which it was at the verge of losing the Navaratna status. However the status was extended twice till 2013 and then 2014.  This year’s navartana status will also end in the third week of November and it was compulsory to go for IPO to retain the coveted tag.

RINL was awarded the Navratna status on November 16, 2010 with the condition that it would get its shares listed on the bourses within two years

The Navratna status, is given to those PSUs who score a composite score of 60 or above out of 100 based on its performance during the last three years on six identified parameters. The Navaratna status empowers a PSU to enjoy greater financial and functional autonomy.

“We fear that if not this year, the new government will go for IPO. We have seen how resolute the NDA earlier on privatization and went for disinvestment in many PSUs. We have also seen how disinvestment led to government losing hold on the PSUs and private parties taking charge. One classic example of Hindustan Zinc Ltd (HZL), in which Vedanta got high stakes and subsequently it let to the closure of the Vziag unit. HZL staff held many agitations opposing its closure but government could not do anything as the private party had the majority control,” said AITUC general secretary, D Aadinarayana, who led agitations against RINL IPO earlier.

There are around 14,000 permanent workers at VSP and around 15,000 contract workers.  He added that, the newly elected  Vizag MP, Kambhampati Haribabu had assured them that he would strive his best to protect the interests of RINL. The VSP workers are now pinning hopes on Haribabu to stall the IPO process otherwise to get ready for another round of stir to stop the disinvestment.

RINL is in the advance stage of completing its expansion of its production capacity from 3.2 million tonnes to 6.3 million tonnes at a cost of Rs 12,500 crore. The RINL IPO was supposed to begin the UPA government’s Rs 30,000-crore divestment programme for 2012 fiscal. By diluting its 10 percent stake in RINL, the government aimed to raise about Rs 2,500 crore.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in January 2012 had approved disinvestment in RINL. The company has appointed four merchant bankers - UBS Securities, Deutsche Bank, Edelweiss Capital and IDBI Capital - as the book-running lead managers to manage the IPO process.

The entire workforce of VSP too observed total work shutdown on October 12 and 13, last year opposing IPO.

Poor coordination dents YSRC chances in Vizag

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, May 21, 2014: A week after the poll results, YSRC is said to have identified the reasons for its worst performance in Vizag. While the fight was initially neck to neck in the district with the TD, the party could win only three Assembly segments and one Lok Sabha seat.

Party honorary president Y.S. Vijayalakhsmi’s defeat proved to be a huge embarrassment. Lack of coordination among local leaders and strong local leadership that could oversee campaigning and other activities is said to be the main reason behind the party debacle.

While there are so many senior leaders in the TD and the district in charges appointed by  party chief N. Chandrababu Naidu, worked tirelessly to ensure party victory, while YSRC lacked a leader who could bring synergy among the cadre, at grassroot level, second rung leaders and the contesting candidates.

Though Konatala Ramakrishna is considered as an active politician from the district, he was confined only to party office activities in Hyderabad and spent hardly any time in Vizag.

His brother Raghu babu who contested from Anakapalle, their strong bastion, lost to a TD candidate. There was no sign of YSRC in Vizag.

Though, Jagan fielded his mother Vijayalakshmi, thinking that her contest will have an impact on all the Assembly segments in the district and also in the neighbouring districts, the strategy boomeranged. All the assembly candidates coming under the Vizag Lok Sabha segment lost with huge margins.

Another senior politician Dadi Veerabhadra Rao, who quit the TD and joined the YSRC, was also not given opportunity to steer the party wing of Vizag. He was busy helping and campaigning for his son Dadi Ratnakar, who contested from Vizag West.

Both city and district conveners of the party — Vamsikrishna Srinivas and Chokkakula Venkat Rao — were busy with their own work. Vamsikrishna Srinivas, who contested from Vizag East, had to face a TD heavyweight in the district VRK Babu, against whom the former lost narrowly during the 2009 polls.

Chokkakula Venkat Rao, who is a political novice, too faced BJP candidate P. Vishukumar Raju, who was riding high on Modi wave. Party North Andhra in charge, Sujay Venkata Krishna Ranga Rao, was also busy in his own constituency, Bobbili, from where he contested and won. Rao, was also otherwise busy with is younger brother RVSKK Ranga Rao’s (Babynayana) contest for Vizianagaram  Lok Sabha.  

It was too late for Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy to appoint former Congress MLA Malla Vijay Prasad as city president in mid-April as the time for campaigning was almost over. “There was utter confusion among the cadres. Local leaders were only seen active when Vijayamma, or Sharmila or Jagan visited,” rued an YSRC leader.

Vastu renovation of office brings luck to TD in Vizag !

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, May 20, 2014:  No doubt it was TD chief N Chandrababu Naidu and PM designate, Narendra Modi’s development mantra that brought the combination into power in Seemandhra, but there seems to be another factor that had brought rich dividends to the party in the district- Vastu. 

Amid sagging fortunes of the party in the three districts of north Andhra, especially in Vizag, TD local leaders have taken up the task to make changes to the party office located on a rocky terrain in Ramnagar according to Vastu.

Vizag was once a strong bastion for TD, but since 2004 for almost a decade, party suffered major losses including desertion of important leaders like Ganta Srinivas Rao and party heavyweights like Ch Ayyana Patrudu and Bandaru Satyanarayan Murthy losing the polls. North Andhra region having 34 assembly and 5 parliament segments always helped TD to come into power.

It was Naidu’s close confidant and rajyasabha member, Sujana Chowdharuy during his visits to city as party in charge earlier, said to have proposed certain changes complying vastu rules. Vastu experts were specially flown into city to study the building.

Thereby, an informal committee with local leaders was also appointed to oversee the construction of certain changes as suggested by the vastu experts. While making changes according to vastu has begun last year, it took sometime to finish the works. 

In March this year, two months before the polls, works moved on a brisk pace and were completed on a war-footing before the polling day. A three-foot wall opposite the statue of NTR that ran up to the backside of the building was demolished.

The drive way was raised and the entrance was partially closed. The entrance was also shifted closer to the building. The NTR statue  on the northeast side has been shifted to the lawns and a wall was constructed on the side of the hillock blocking it.

Interestingly certain changes made earlier according to a vastu expert were undone on the advice of another expert as the party suffered further losses after doing so.  The four compound walls were raised to an equal level.

“Vastu is also a science and we wanted to make certain changes to  the office. And now see the sea change in the fortunes,” said a senior TD leader.

TD bagged 12 assembly segments and 2 parliament seats along with its ally BJP in the district leaving a meager, 3 assembly and 1 lok sabha seat to its rival party YSRC in the district. 

Naidu’s berth pangs, Ganta pins hopes to be Dy CM

By SNV Sudhir

 Visakhapatnam, May 19, 2014:  After poll results, focus has now shifted on who gets what in N Chandrababu Naidu’s new cabinet. Cabinet berth allocation to Vizag TD MLAs has generated more interest now than the results.  The fireworks are to subside even after poll results are out in Vizag.

It’s not going to be an easy task for Naidu in Vizag whether to pick former ministers Ganta Srinivas Rao, Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy or Ch Ayyana Patrudu.  BJP MLA from Vizag North, P Vishukumar Raju is also aspiring to get a place in the state cabinet in lieu of berths in union cabinet if TD MPs were given chance to be the part of the government.

All the four are strong aspirants for cabinet berths. With, the strength of the cabinet shrunk due to the state bifurcation, it would be interesting to see if Naidu would give cabinet berths to four persons from one district.       

It’s an open secret about rivalry between Ganta Srinivas Rao and Ayyana Patrudu. Ayyana never missed a chance to take a jibe at Rao and both never see eye to eye. While Ganta Srinivas, was ports and infrastructure minister in the Congress government and later rejoined TD before polls, both Ayyana Patrudu and Bandaru Satyanarayan Murthy were ministers when, Naidu was chief minister between 1995 and 2004.

 Ganta Srinivas Rao is said to be aspiring to be the deputy chief minister pinning hopes on the announcement made by Naidu during poll campaigning that, Kapu and Yadava communities would get one deputy chief minister post each.

In fact, Ganta camp members were upbeat, after the announcement and campaigned in Bheemili saying, elect him to see him as deputy chief minister and he brings development in the constituency using his clout being in higher position. They are also of the opinion that there was no any other Kapu heavyweight among the TD MLAs who can stake claim on Dy CM chair.

“There is no doubt that Ganta Srinivas is the only person who can be the deputy chief minister. There is no any other Kapu MLA in the party of that stature. And we are hopeful that, he will get the chair. If he is given the post it will be advantage for the party to keep the kapu flock together and intact,” said a Ganta camp insider.

It remains to be seen if Naidu will accommodate them in the cabinet and opens a turf war in the district. 

Haribabu vows to put Vizag on global map

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, May 19, 2014: Riding high on the victory, Vizag MP elect Kambhampati Haribabu, is readying to get onto the ground. He vowed to implement all the promises he made during the poll campaign in true spirit and put Vizag, which is the only largest city in the divided Andhra Pradesh, on to the global map.  “I’m indebted to Vizagites for giving me this opportunity. I take this as a responsibility and strive hard to implement all the promises I made during poll campaign,” he told Deccan Chronicle.

In an interview with this newspaper, state BJP chief, Haribabu said that, he would strive to develop Vizag, in such a manner that everybody starts looking at the city for opportunities, jobs and business like how Hyderabad is looked at in the undivided Andhra Pradesh.

Though BJP is not so strong in Vizag the academician turned politician Haribabu sprang a surprise by winning with a margin of 90,000 votes. BJP candidate never won Vizag Lok Sabha.

BJP Lok Sabha candidate, DV Subba Rao in the last elections, could get very less number of votes. He could get only 17,003 votes from all the seven assembly segments coming under Vizag Lok Sabha constituency in 2009 polls.

 “With the help of the Centre, we can make Vizag a tourist destination. There is lot of tourism potential in the state, especially Vizag. Tourism also brings in so many job opportunities. Besides, tourism, IT sector can also be strengthened and developed in Vizag.  I will personally go and persuade big players in IT sector to set up their operations here. My goal is to achieve at least Rs 10,000 cr worth IT exports in the next 3 years from Vizag,” he said.

 Haribabu, who is being called, a giant killer for defeating, YSRC honorary president, YS Vijayalakshmi, also said that, state BJP would ask Narendra Modi to sanction 5 smart cities to the successor state of Andhra Pradesh as part of the Gujarat Chief Minister’s promise to build 100 smart cities across the country having the best infrastructure facilities.

He further promised to bring in ring road on the lines of Outer Ring Road (ORR) for better connectivity to trigger growth in the region.  He also vowed to take steps to make the city pollution free. 

Haribabu batted for decentralized development and administration in the new state and expressed the view of increasing the present 13 districts to 25 for administrative convenience for better overall development. 

Punters cash in on municipal poll results

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, May 12, 2014: Its not just, workers and leaders of political parties, but punters too keenly watched the results of the municipal polls, all day and jumped into action to encash the situation literally, by raising the stakes of betting  ‘business’ from afternoon onwards, as the trend was clear by then.

With TD, bagging maximum civic bodies in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions, betting organizers were busy luring prospective enthusiasts to place bets in the city on the possible outcome of the assembly and lok sabha poll results basing on the results of the civic polls that were held in March.  The betting organiers have also set a deadline of 5 in the evening to place the bets.

While the TD was the hot favourite of the day, YSRC have not lost the sheen. There was heavy betting on YSRC too, stating that, municipal and assembly polls are fought on entirely different issues and planks and the party still enjoys the clout in rural belt.

With the swing towards TD in towns was clear with the municipal poll results, there was heavy betting on the winning chances of YSRC, honorary president, YS Vijayalakshmi who fought with BJP state unit, Chief Kambhampati Haribabu, for Vizag Lok Sabha seat.

Haribabu was in fray with TD support banking on the ‘Modi wave’ among urban voters. Organisers offered 1: 3 in favour of Vijayalaskshmi. If Vijayalakshmi wins, those who placed bets on her would get three times more. But, some enthusiasts are still waiting for the results of ZPTC and MPTC polls that actually reflect the clout and influence of the parties in the rural tracts, which are deciding factors of assembly polls.

 “Though I wanted to place the bet, I didn’t want to venture basing on just municipal polls. I will wait till tomorrow for the results of the polls for ZPTC and MPTC are out. I always liked to take risks and a chance but not this time where the trend seems to be a tough fight between, TD and YSRC,” said a businessman and a betting enthusiast

India’s first strategic oil storage facility at Vizag to be ready by September

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, May 9, 2014:  India’s first massive underground strategic oil storage facility planned at Vizag will be ready for commissioning in September.  The petroleum minister M Veerappa Moily, earlier said that it will be ready for operations in January.

 The project is already delayed by two years due to various issues. The Vizag facility undertaken by India Strategic Petroleum Reserves Ltd (ISPRL) launched in January 2008, was supposed to be commissioned by 2012.

ISPRL, is a Special Purpose Vehicle, owned by Oil Industry Development Board (OIDB) to build such strategic storage facilities.  ISPRL also, planned two other such facilities at Manglore and Pudur, both in Karnataka. While, Mangalore facility has a capacity of 1.55 million tonnes Pudur storage capacity is pegged up at 2.5 million tonnes.

These strategic storages would be in addition to the existing storages of crude oil and petroleum products with the oil companies and would serve as a cushion in response to external supply disruptions.

Vizag facility can store 1.33 million tonnes of crude oil. The storage would be a 7.5-km-long tunnel with several caverns to store various grades of crude. The roof of these caverns would be 162 meters below the sea level.

ISPRL also held road shows and business meets at Singapore, London and Mumbai to attract foreign funds.

Vizag already houses an underground facility to store LPG, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. A joint-venture of HPCL with oil major TOTAL of France, the Cavern Marine Terminal can hold 60,000 million tonnes of LPG storage. Built at the cost of Rs 333.3 crore, the LPG facility was completed in 2007.

“Plans are afoot to commission the Vizag facility by September this year, whereas the Mangalore and Padur projects are expected to be commissioned after the cross country pipeline is completed, which is anticipated by June, 2015,” said a top official of ISPRL.

India will join countries like the US, Japan and China that have strategic reserves once the Vizag facility comes into operation. 

Capital selection panel heads for Vizag

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, May 8, 2014:  With polling coming to an end, the focus has shifted towards the hunt for new capital for the successor state of Andhra Pradesh. Many groups, especially youngsters were seen busy sending their opinions and aspirations about the new capital city to the expert committee appointed by the union home ministry. 

The members of the expert committee headed by former Secretary of Union Urban Development Ministry, KC Siva Ramakrishnan, will be visiting Vizag, on Friday for the first hand assessment. The members will also visit Rajahmundry and Vijayawada on the following days.

Wednesday was the last day to submit views on new capital city to the high level expert committee headed by former Secretary of Union Urban Development Ministry, KC Siva Ramakrishnan, appointed by union home ministry to identify new capital, which has to submit its report by August 31. 

The committee will study various alternatives for locating the new capital of the successor state and make appropriate recommendations in pursuant to section 6 of Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014,

The other members of the committee are Aromar Revi, director, Indian Institute for Human Settlements, Rathin Roy, director, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, K T  Ravindran, former dean, School of Planning and Architecture and Jagan Shah, director, National Institute of Urban Affairs.

 “Prior to the arrival of the British and even during the British regime, India always had two capitals. After the departure of the British, Delhi was established as a sole capital of the country. Dr B  R  Ambedkar in his ‘Thoughts On Linguistic States’ had outlined the reasons that commanded the need for a second capital in south India,” said said Suresh Raju, of Vaada Foundation who wrote to the committee.

He further said that the five crore people of Seemandhra were displeased at the manner in which the separation was made. “Now that Andhra Pradesh has been separated and viability of the various districts as probable new capital for Andhra Pradesh is being considered, I would like to suggest that the proposal of the visionary Dr  B  R Ambedkar be implemented. Since the government of India is investing in setting up a new capital, the Shiva Ramakrishnan Committee should identify a place that also fulfils all the relevant criteria so as to be the second capital of India,” he added.

There are also competing demands from various parts of the successor state. There are various groups and leaders from across the new state who are demanding their area be made capital city.  So far, Vizag, Guntur, Vijayawada, Ongole, Kurnool and Tirupati have been demanded as the new capitals.

“The most obvious choice, why Vizag should be capital of new state as it can be operational or functional in the shortest time.  Vizag is the largest city in new state and only city with high national and international connectivity. Strategically located with excellent international and domestic market connectivity by road, rail, air and sea. Power, water and land are abundantly available.” said Vizag Development Council (VDC), convenor, O Naresh Kumar, who also wrote to the expert committee. 

Tribals and rural folks outnumber city voters

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, May 8, 2014:  Despite publicity blitzkrieg by the poll authorities, the voter turnout in the district recorded very low compared to the 2009 polls. The voting turnout percentage dropped almost by 2 percent. Voters in rural tracts seem to be more aware of the value of a vote than their urban brethren.

Tribals outnumbered city voters. Araku assembly constituency reserved for ST in Vizag Agency registered voter turnout of 70pc. Among the urban assembly constituencies Vizag South registered, highest voter turnout of 65.50pc less than Araku.

           

While the voter turn out was 72.54 percent in 2009 polls, as per the latest reports, it recorded 70.57 percent in the polls held for Lok Sabha and state Assembly in the district, on Wednesday.  Women outnumbered men in Vizag. Around 10,38,656 women voted whereas men were 10, 22, 697. 

The voting percentage was 66.04 per cent during the 2004 elections. This time election commission, planned several programmes ever since the poll schedule was announced in March, to create awareness among public on the value of the vote and encourage them to come out on the poll day and cast their vote. There were so many advertisements on newspapers, TV, slides in cinemas, radio and hoardings across the district.

Ironically, the turnout for Vizag parliament constituency having, around 5 urban assembly constituencies, dropped by around 5 percent.  It was 72.92 pc in 2009 and this time it was 67.78 pc. Whereas,  Anakapalle, parliament constituency, consisting, voters in rural tracts, registered an impressive turnout of 82.22percent, little more than 79.26 in 2009 polls.

Yelamanchili Assembly segment that recorded the highest turnout of 83.18 pc in 2009 again topped this time too registering an impressive turnout of 85.11pc. Paderu in the Vizag Agency had the lowest turnout, 60.66 pc in 2009 and registered 59.15 pc this time. 

Among the urban assembly constituencies Vizag South registered, highest voter turnout of 65.50pc  and the least Vizag north with 59.87pc. Assembly constituencies in rural areas, registered an impressive turnout of voters compared to urban ones. Pendurthy, having 77 pc turnout is least among the rural assembly segments.

  

First time voters were seen enthusiastically visiting the polling stations to cast their vote.

Following are the percentages of polling recorded in the 15 Assembly segments of the district Bheemili 75.05, Vizag East 64.40 Vizag South 65.50,  Vizag North 59.87,  Vizag West 59.93, Gajuwaka 64.64, Chodavaram 84.51, Madugula 84.56,  Araku 70,  Paderu 59.15,  Anakapalle 82, Pendurthy 77, Yelamanchili 85.11,  Payakaraopeta 80.57  and Narsipatnam 81.82. 

TD struggles to regain past glory

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, May 6, 2014: The D Day has arrived that would decide the fortunes of candidates of various political parties. Seemandhra will go for polls on Wednesday. While, TD has struggled hard all these days to regain its past glory in the three districts of north Andhra, which was once its bastion, Congress tried its best for survival and YSRC left no stone unturned to emerge as a reckoning force. Congress has reduced to be a non entity and found it tough to find candidates to fight the polls. 

North Andhra Pradesh, comprising, Vizag, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts,   was once a strong bastion of the TD, ever since the creation of the party by N T Rama Rao. It almost swept the polls in the three districts during the 1983 to 1999 polls, but the party started seeing a downward trend in the 2004 polls.

In the 2009 elections, it had won a meager 7 Assembly segments of the total 34 Assembly constituencies in north Andhra. While there are around 15 Assembly segments in Vizag, TD could win only 4. 

In Vizianagaram, the party bagged only 2 and it could win only one constituency out of 10 in Srikakulam. Last year’s sudden and untimely demise of senior leader K. Yerrannaidu, was a major blow to the party in Srikakulam. In the same district, the lone MLA from Ichapuram Sai Raj shifted his loyalties to the new regional force, YSRC, reducing the party tally to zero. 

It was a golden time for Congress in 2004 and 2009 polls. Party bagged 27 assembly segments and all the five Lok Sabha seats in the last elections. The sudden demise of, towering leader, YS Rajasekhar Reddy and subsequent developments on state bifurcation made the Congress house in Vizag and Srikakulam, except Vizianagaram, almost empty.

In Vizag, it was only former minister P Balaraju and former whip, Dronamraju Srinivas, remained in the party. Remaining, all quit the party protesting, Congress led UPA, dividing the state. Same is the situation in Srikakulam, barring, former Kondru Murali and sitting MP, Killi Kruparani, every leader quit and either joined YSRC or TD.  In Vizianagaram, former PCC chief, Botsa Satyanarayana, could curtail migration of leaders to certain extent.

YSRC, which bagged, two seats, one each in Vizag and Srikakulam during 2012 by polls, has given much needed fillip to the party prospects in north Andhra. Party chief, Jagan, clearing names of the candidates in most of the assembly constituencies, a year back, had helped them to do some ground work.

Party candidates are banking on pro welfare agenda of Jagan and rural voters. Jagan too made several visits to the three districts since 3 years. He also fielded, his mother YS Vijayalakshmi, from, Vizag Lok Sabha, thinking that, she may influence the prospects of the party in the polls in the three districts. 

Naidu on ‘Help Congress’ mission: Sharmila

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, May 5, 2014: Likening Telugu Desam chief N. Chandrababu Naidu to divisive forces for giving his consent for the state’s bifurcation, YSR Congress star campaigner Sharmila appealed to the voters to reject such forces.

In a scathing attack on Mr Naidu, Ms Sharmila said during a road show here on Monday, “Sonia Gandhi-led Congress was emboldened by the letter Mr Naidu gave to split the state and went ahead with the division process. Reject such divisive forces who are brazenly exhibiting their double standards.”

During the road shows she addressed in Vizag on Monday, Ms Sharmila recalled that her father, the late YSR, had brought in welfare measures without taxing the people and looked beyond regional or political affiliations. She appealed to the people to vote for the YSRC candidates.

“My brother, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, mother Vijayalakshmi and YSRC leaders were with the people during the past five years, taking up their issues and held dharnas and deekshas while Mr Naidu was never seen sitting on any protest and was on a ‘Help Congress’ mission to save his skin from the various corruption charges he is facing,” she said.

She added that when YSRC moved a no-confidence motion, it was Chandrababu Naidu shielded the Kiran 

Kumar Reddy government by not taking part in the voting and issuing a whip.  

“Mr Naidu, who had hiked power charges eight times in eight years, is now talking of free power. He spoke very low of farmers, free power and agriculture and was of the opinion that subsidies would make people lazy. The same leader is coming to people promising free power and waiver of loans. He lacks cre-dibility as he has reversed the TD poll promises of Rs 2 kg rice and prohibition,” she said.

She further said that while YSRCP was with the people during the past five years, Naidu was busy conspiring to file false cases against  Jagan and did not take up any of the people’s issues.

“Now Vijayamma stands before you seeking votes and we are here to repay the gratitude you have shown to YSR for electing him twice. I appeal to you to vote for YSRC’s fan symbol,” Ms Sharmila said.

Ground Report: Anakapalle LS- Fight between guru, sishya, Velama voters to decide candidates’ fate

By SNV Sudhir:

Visakhapatnam, May 5, 2014: Contest for Anakapalle Lok Sabha seat is termed as fight between Guru and Sishya. Though Congress candidate Thota Vijayalakshmi is also in the race, contest is mainly between YSRC and TD. YSRC candidate 28 year old Gudivada  Amarnath, a B Tech graduate, studied at Avanti engineering college owned by TD Lok Sabha candidate Mutamsetti Srinivas Rao. 

Anakapalle Lok Sabha constituency had always been a strong bastion of Congress. Since 1962, Congress won the seat for nine times and TD four times. Interestingly this time candidates of all the three important parties belong to the Kapu community. There are around 14, 00214 voters in the parliamentary segment. With the Congress facing the state bifurcation blame, its candidate has become a non entity in these elections.  

  Majority of voters in the segment belong to Kapu, Velama and Gavara in the order. It is expected that the Kapu votes will be divided among the three candidates. Until now dominant Gavara votes are divided among the two varying rival families of Anakapalle- Dadi and Konatalas that were once aligned with TD and Congress respectively.

But now, after both Dadi Veerabhadra Rao and Konatala Ramakrishna joined YSRC, Gavara votes are set to go to YSRC Lok Sabha candidate.  In lieu of their support to the YSRC Lok Sabha candidate, Jagan gave assembly tickets to Rao’s son Dadi Ratnakar, who is contesting from Vizag West constituency, Konatala Ramakrishna’s brother Kontala Raghubabu to fight for Anakapalle assembly. However it has to be seen whom would the Velama crowd vote.

Until now it was Kapu vote bank that was deciding fortunes of the Anakapalle Lok Sabha candidates. Now, with three Kapu leaders in the fray, Velama votes turned out to be the deciding factor in these polls.

YSRC candidate is also banking on the party’s sway on the rural belt and the work done by his father Gudivada Gurunatha Rao, who was once the local MP. TD’s Srinivas Rao, is confident of the Anakapalle sitting MLA, Ganta Srinivasa Rao’s strong ties with locals.

“People are looking at Jaganmohan Reddy for implementation of the welfare schemes that were introduced by his late father YSR. Everyone’s want to see Jagan as chief minister and also dictate terms to the Centre and get funds to rebuild the state,” said Gudivada Amarnath. 

High voltage campaign ends, now, time to lure voters

By SNV Sudhir:

Visakhapatnam, May 5, 2014: The high voltage campaign for upcoming polls ended on Monday. Leaders of all the political parties are now busy in preparing poll strategies for the May 7 polling. Now parties have shifted focus towards distributing money and booze to lure voters hoodwinking authorities.

 Prominent leaders of all the parties have made several visits to the three districts of north Andhra ever since the election commission announced poll schedule in the first week of March. Three districts of north Andhra having 34 assembly and 5 parliament seats has made all the leaders concentrate on the region.

In a last ditch effort, many political parties organised rallies choking the roads in all the parts of the three districts, on Monday.

TD chief N Chandrababu Naidu had made several visits as part of ‘Praja Garjana’ since two months. Subsequently, his brother in law and actor turned politician, Balakrishna, also toured Vizag, Vizianagaram and Vziag districts addressing many road shows. Naidu’s son, Nara Lokesh, who also took an active plunge into politics, too visited many places in the three districts to woo voters. Though, it was late, Jana Sena chief, Pawan Kalyan, addressed many meetings on behalf of BJP and TD candidates.

With BJP candidates contesting for Vizag Lok Sabha and two assembly segments, many party leaders campaigned in Vizag. Party prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi himself addressed a mammoth gathering last week, giving much needed boost to the cadres. Goa chief minister Manohar Parikar and many other leaders too campaigned in the city. BJP national leader, M Venkaiah Naidu has been camping in the city for the last two days to personally supervise the campaign strategy and also to ensure BJP Lok Sabha candidate, Kambhapati Haribabu’s victory.

However, public was disappointed due to the cancellation of yesteryear bollywood actress, Hema Malini’s visit to the city. She was supposed to take up the campaigning in the city on Sunday.

 For Congress, its state campaign committee, chief K Chiranjeevi, PCC chief, Raghuveera Reddy made at least three trips to the three districts to campaign for Congress candidates. YSRC, chief Jaganmohan Reddy, his sister Sharmila campaigned in the city since their mother, YS Vijayalakshmi is in the fray for Vizag Lok Sabha seat

Vizag Watch: Fan storm makes lotus writhe, Vijayamma targets masses, Haribabu banks on urban, educated voters

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, May 4, 2014:  All eyes are on the contest for Vizag Lok Sabha seat, where political heavy weight, YSRC, honorary president, YS Vijayalakshmi and BJP state unit chief Kambhampati Haribabu, who is riding on the Modi Wave, are in the fray.

Haribabu, not so popular among masses seems to be struggling to give a tough fight to Vijayamma. He is heavily banking on the MLA candidates and cadre of TD and middle class urban voters.  He is seen everywhere right from interacting with morning walkers on the beach road early in the morning to accompanying TD assembly candidates in canvassing.

He also has a considerable presence on social media in a bid to attract young and educated voters. BJP prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, TD chief N Chandrababu Naidu, NDA’s new star campaigner Pawan Kalyan had already addressed a public meeting last week seeking votes for Haribabu. The BJP candidate is now hoping that the public meeting would change the fortunes in his favour.

 “People are looking for a local candidate who is accessible to them round the clock after having a bitter experience of electing outsiders in the last two elections. And  they also want someone who works under Modi. They are seeing strong leadership qualities in Modi, which help me win the seat being the BJP candidate,” said Haribabu. BJP candidate is depending on middle class and urban educated youth vote bank.

With middle class urban voters less in number than those of urban poor and those living in outskirts, Vijayamma seems to have bright chances. Of the total 7 assembly segments coming under Vizag Lok Sabha constituency, YSRC is strong in 4 and TD candidates are trying to give tough fight in 3 constituencies.

 Vizag East, West, North, South, Gajuwaka, Bhemili and S Kota assembly segments come under Vizag Lok Sabha constituency. The total electorate comes to 17,20,803,  spread in the 7 assembly segments. YSRC looks to be comfortable in Vizag West, North, South and S Kota and TD in Bheemili, where former minister, Ganta Srinivas Rao is in the fray, Gajuwaka and Vizag East.

Vijayamma, has been campaigning more on the outskirts and the rural tracts of the district, explaining the welfare schemes that YSRC government, would implement if voted to power. Vijayamma campaigning strategy clearly indicates that her focus is mainly on masses, among which YSRC has popularity. Party chief, YS Jaganmohan Reddy had also visited Vizag on Saturday. YSRC star campaigner, Sharmila will visit Vizag on Monday, the last day of poll campaign to seek votes for her mother.

Interestingly punters are placing heavy bets on the wining margin of Vijayamma pushing Haribabu to the second place in the race. Betting has begun from 2 to 4 lakh votes margin.

YSR Congress strikes Muslim chord

YSRC honorary president and Vizag LS candidate Y.S. Vijayalakshmi said Dr YSR had introduced Urdu as second language in the state and had also included Muslims in the BC-E category. During his regime, there was no differentiation for availing benefits  based on community or  religion. He had provided equal opportunities and amenities to all, she said while addressing the Muslim community at the party office in Port area on Sunday.

She added that programmes for free education, corporate health care, ambulance services, benefits to farmers and women would be extended to all irrespective of their religion. She assured government support for the construction and repair of masjids and burial grounds if her party comes to power. “YSR was in love with this city and hence I decided to contest from here. We will transform it into a green zone. We will concentrate on projects like metro rail, improvement of pharma sector, ports, airports, and other public sector undertakings for progress,” she said

Haribabu gives Vizagites a wake-up call

SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, May 4, 2014: BJP AP unit chief, Kambhampati Haribabu, is contesting for the Vizag Lok Sabha seat and is set to face a political heavy weight, YSRC honorary president, YS Vijayalakshmi. TD spared Vizag Lok Sabha seat to BJP as part of the poll alliance between both the parties.

During an interview with Deccan Chronicle, Hari Babu sends the message: ‘Wake up Vizag’ and vote for an educated local candidate who will be accessible to Vizagites round the clock. He adds that the Vizag public is afraid that the peaceful atmosphere of the city would be disturbed if leaders with factional politics background are elected, thereby hampering the growth. 

Excerpts:

 You are pitted against a political heavyweight, YSRC chief, YS Jaganmohan Reddy’s mother, YS Vijayalakshmi. What are your prospects against her and what is your confidence?

In my view, if public opinion is in favour of a person, there can be no role of political heavy weights. It has been proved many times earlier. During the Emergency, strong leader like Indira Gandhi had to face the public anger and lost poll in UP in 1977. In 1989, charismatic leader like NTR lost poll in Kalvakurthy and in the last elections, Chiranjeevi, having such a mass appeal lost in Palakollu. Therefore it was time and again proved that political heavyweights don’t matter.

How can you say that public opinion is in your favour?

During my campaigning all these days I felt that the public was looking for a local leader accessible to them at all times and who can aptly represent their issues in Delhi. They are also of the opinion that, BJP led NDA is going to form government under the leadership of Narendra Modi and a BJP MP from here can do justice by acting as a bridge between Vizag and the union government.

BJP candidates across the country including you are heavily banking on perceived Modi wave but your opponents are rubbishing it as just the creation by a section of media? What’s your view about it?

The entire nation is looking for a corrupt free government. Youngsters are looking for a stable government and decisive leadership. And Modi is the only ray of hope.

You are using ‘Wake up Vizag’ and ‘being local’ as your poll plank in your campaigning. Does the local factor really have an impact in these polls?

 Vizagites had this bitter experience due to electing outsiders and non local in the last two elections. They are vexed up with these leaders and there is a dire need of a local candidate with global vision. Vizag is the only big and important city in the divided Andhra Pradesh and a local leader who can understand local issues is the need of the hour. That’s why am saying ‘Wake up Vizag’ and vote accordingly.

You are very often asking voters in your election speeches not to elect those leaders who can disturb tranquility of the city? What is that about?

Vizag is a calm and quiet city. Vizagites are peace loving people. There is a general perception and people are actually afraid that leaders hailing from those places infamous for faction politics will disturb the peaceful atmosphere of the city thereby hampering the growth. Here leaders cutting across the party lines come onto a common platform, on certain issues related to Vizag development. We don’t have any personal animosity among ourselves or nurture grudge against each other. People are afraid that would change if such leaders are elected 

 What are your plans for Vizag?

 In undivided Andhra Pradesh, people were looking at Hyderabad, for education, business, jobs etc. I wish to make everyone looks at Vizag for opportunities in the coming days in the new state. With the help of the Centre, we can make Vizag a tourist destination. I will personally go and persuade big players in IT sector to set up their operations here. My goal is to achieve at least Rs 10,000 cr worth IT exports in the next 3 years from Vizag. I will also ask bigwigs of film industry to come to Vizag to set up studios and other facilities, which would also provide jobs to locals. 

Ground Report: Paderu- Balaraju trails, tight fight between YSRC & CPI candidates

By SNV Sudhir

 Visakhapatnam, May 3, 2014: While, the voting across the 13 districts of Andhra Pradesh in the upcoming polls is based on issues related to state bifurcation and rebuilding of the new state, voters in Paderu Assembly segment weave a different story.

Local issues and strong caste lines among the tribals are the factors that have always influenced electorate in this Assembly segment of Vizag Agency reserved for STs. This time too local factors are set to decide the fate of contestants of various political parties.

 One of the two prominent faces that remained in Congress in the district after so many leaders quit the party, former tribal welfare minister P Balaraju, who is again the Congress candidate seems to have been pushed to the third place in the contest. Balaraju, in 2009 polls, won with a wafer thin majority of just 587 votes, against the then CPI nominee G Demudu.    

Surprisingly, in Paderu, it is going to be a tight fight between, CPI candidate, former MLA, G Demudu and YSRC nominee, Giddi Eswari, a political novice, who had recently resigned as a school assistant of a government upper primary school.

An NRI and IIT Chennai educated, Lokula Gandhi is also in the fray on a BJP ticket, but he too seems to be trailing due to the non cooperation of TD cadres. As part of poll alliance between TD and BJP, Paderu assembly seat had gone to the saffron party.

While, Eswari, comes from Bagatha, a dominant community and having more voters in Paderu, Demudu, belongs to Konda Dora, community that falls in the second place as per numbers.

Both Balaraju and Gandhi belong to Valmiki community whose number is less compared to other two groups.  The voting pattern in the past elections suggests that, voters belonging to one community do not vote to the candidate from the other community.  In this scenario, non tribals always played crucial role in deciding the fate of the contestants.

In 2009, polls, non tribals, ensured Balaraju’s win. This time non tribals said to have decided to vote enmasse to the YSRC nominee. Armed with support of Bagatha voters and non tribals, Giddi Eswari, has got fair chances of wining Paderu seat.

However, Balaraju, seems to be confident on his winning chances. He claimed credit for successfully stopping the proposed bauxite mining, a local emotive issue and added that his efforts in this regard and many other development programmes taken up by him when he was minister will bail him out. He was confident of emerging triumphant in the contest.

There are around 2, 35, 677 voters in Paderu segment.

Ground Report: Vizag South-Dronamraju to face anti-incumbency

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, May 2, 2014:  It’s not going to be a cakewalk for government whip Dronamraju Srinivas Rao, who is in the fray for Vizag South Constituency. With anti Congress wave prevalent across Seemandhra due to state bifurcation he seems to be trailing in the race. Dronamraju Srinivas and minister Balaraju are the only  prominent faces that remained in Congress in the district. Most of the MLAs and leaders quit Congress and either joined YSRC or TD.   

Last elections also he scraped through with very little margin of 341 votes. This time too the same person, Kola Guruvulu, who gave a tough fight to Srinivas, in 2009 polls, is in fray on an YSRC ticket. With renewed energy, TD urban unit, president, Vasupalli Ganesh Kumar is also in the fray resulting in a three pronged fight this time too. 

Though in most of constituencies in the district, the fight is expected only between YSRC and TD candidates, in Vizag South, Srinivas, is putting all efforts to be in fray, at least to give a decent fight. Locals strongly believe that Srinivas is the right man in a wrong party.

In 2009, Kola Guruvulu contested on a PRP ticket. Guruvulu, having his own cadre base, is confident of winning the seat this time as YS Vijayalakshmi is YSRC Vizag Lok Sabha nominee.  

He is leaving no stone unturned, to win the seat, as he lost it with a slender margin last time. Guruvulu said that, people have faith in Jaganmohan Reddy’s leadership and it will help him win the seat. The YSRC nominee added that, there are so many problems in the constituency and he is determined to solve them once voted to power.

 Vasupalli Ganesh Kumar, who stood third in the last polls, was successful in getting TD ticket again this time. He is banking on the development mantra being chanted by party supremo N Chandrababu Naidu, general Modi wave and the anti incumbency against sitting ruling party candidate. 

 “Though we all like Dronamraju Srinivas, how can we vote his party, which divided the state. It is due to Congress we have lost Hyderabad. If he had contested from any other party or as an independent we would have definitely supported him. No Congress at all,” said, Sudharshan of I Town area.

There are around 15 candidates in the fray and total voters are 1,97,423 in Vizag South assembly segment. 

Ballot War: Jagan power hungry: Modi

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, May 1, 2014: In a direct attack on YSRC chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy, for the first time, BJP prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, asked voters in Seemandhra to defeat, mother- son duo of Delhi and Seemandhra.   

He was referring to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi at Centre and YS Vijayalakshmi and YS Jaganmohan Reddy in Andhra Pradesh. Addressing a mammoth gathering, despite drenched in heavy rain, Modi, upped his ante against Jagan here on Thursday and said YSR Congress birth is only for Chief Minister Chair. Party is very power hungry, Modi said.

“YSRC was not launched with ideals and principles. It was formed only to grab power. The party doesn’t have any values. I appeal you all to defeat both mother-son duo of Delhi and Seemandhra. You should defeat those who were indulged in economic offences and went to jail,” Modi said.

 He vowed to turn Vizag as an international business hub and appealed to vote for BJP and TD in the state to make Swarnandhra (Golden Andhra Pradesh). “It was former prime minister, AB Vajpayee’s idea of Vizag be a part of Sagaramala by developing ultra modern international sea port. Give us mandate we will turn Vizag into an international business hub,” said Modi.

TD supremo N Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena chief, Pawan Kalyan who also took part in the meeting too preferred to  attack Jagan. 

 Chandrababu Naidu said that vote to YSRC will go to Congress and said the party is a family entity.  Pawan Kalyan, too took a barb at Jagan, for fielding his mother, in the polls and making her hit the dusty roads under the scorching sun.

 “At the age to take rest, Jagan for his self-interest, brought his mother on to roads under the scorching sun. How can he be a good son? A person for his selfishness had dragged his mother on to the roads and how can we trust such a person to take care of people’s welfare,” Pawan said.

Jagan’s mother YS Vijayalakshmi is contesting for Vizag Lok Sabha. 

High voltage election campaign on the cards, top leaders set to hit streets of Vizag

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, May 1, 2014: Poll campaigning has reached a feverish pitch with just five more days left fopr voting in Vizag. All political leaders are visiting the reion or planningt o, along with other districts in north Andhra.

BJP prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, TD supremo N Chandrababu Naidu along with Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan already visited Vizag on Thursday  to infuse enthusiasm  in their respective party cadres and boss their morale too.

While Modi and Pawan Kalyan left city after the meeting, Naidu stayed back in Vizag for the night  and held closed door meetings with the party leaders on election strategies. On Saturday, Goa, chief minister, Manohar Parikkar will be in the city to take part in the election campaig for BJP Lok Sabha and Vizag north assembly segment candidates, Kampbhampati Haribabu and P Vishnukumar Raju, respectively.

BJP has scheduled meetings of Goa CM with various elite groups in the city. As a Sunday attraction Bollywood’s yesteryear ‘dream girl’, Hema Malini, will also hit the streets in Vizag canvassing for BJP candidates.

On Saturday, YSRC chief, YS Jaganmohan Reddy, will be in Vizag for canvassing. After visiting several areas in and around Vizag, Jagan would address a public meeting at Indira Priyadarshini Municipal Stadium. YSRC leaders are pulling out all stops to make the public meeting a grand success.

On Monday as parting shot on the last day of the poll campaign, YSRC star campaigner, Sharmila, will be visiting Vizag and take up poll campaign. She will be touring many areas in the outskirts seeking votes for her mother, YS Vijayalakshmi, who is in fray for Vizag Lok Sabha.

 Meanwhile, Congress leaders seem happy with its chief, Sonia Gandhi and heir apparent Rahul Gandhi, cancelling their visit to the city in the last minute. Congress leaders feel the duo’s visit would have further damaged the prospects of the party and its candidates in the region , as people in Seemandhra are supposedly seething with anger at ruling Congress for state bifurcation.

Interestingly, barring, Rajyasabha, member Subbarmi Reddy, union minister, Chiranjeevi and PCC chief, Raghuveera Reddy no other prominent national level leader of the Congress visited north Andhra seeking votes for the party.