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
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