HYDERABAD: The Election Commission on Tuesday served a notice to Legislature Secretary S. Rajasadaram asking him to explain whether Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy was within the rules by addressing a media conference at the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) office on March 21.
He has been asked to specify the purpose for which the accommodation was given to the CLP so that the EC will be able to ascertain if the Chief Minister by holding the media conference violated election code.
The EC’s action followed a complaint by G. Muddukrishnama Naidu of the Telugu Desam that the Chief Minister had violated the code as the accommodation provided to the Congress party was used politically. It was meant to be used only during Assembly sessions.
Mr. Subba Rao later told reporters that action by the EC would depend on Mr. Rajasadaram’s report.
The EC also served notices to Devulapalli Amar, Chairman, Andhra Pradesh Press Academy, and Dharmavarapu Subrahmanyam, Chairman, Andhra Pradesh State Cultural Council, to respond to the charges that they had violated the code by participating in programmes of private Telugu TV channels that promoted Congress interests. They have been asked to submit written replies by Wednesday. A round-the-clock facility has been launched in the CEO’s office to record the programmes of at least five out of 10 odd private Telugu TV new channels.
In case of complaint of code violation, the CEO will verify the recordings without seeking clippings from the offices of TV channels.
http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/25/stories/2009032560250600.htm
Friday, April 3, 2009
Trouble brewing in Kurupam TDP
VIZIANAGARAM: Trouble brewing in TDP after the reported decision of TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu to allot Araku (ST) Lok Sabha and Kurupam (ST) Assembly seats to the CPI (M), as part of an understanding between partners of the Grand Alliance. Nimmaka Jayaraj, former TDP MLA from Naguru (ST) constituency, is preparing ground to quit the party and join Praja Rajyam.
He already started consultations with the TDP cadre in Gummalakshipuram, Kurupam and Jiyyammavalasa mandals, as the CPI (M) that won Naguru (ST) with the active support of Congress in 2004 has consolidated its position over the years thus posing a threat to the very existence of TDP in the Agency.
Now, with the allotment of Araku (ST) to the CPI (M) the TDP position in Salur (ST), Kurupam (ST) and Parvathipuram (SC) Assembly segments, that form part of the LS, would weaken further, Mr. Jayaraj argues.
“If both the seats were earmarked to the CPI (M) the cadre must have to carry flags of that party instead of TDP for canvassing,” he felt. Mr. Jayaraj, however, would wait till he heard from Mr. Naidu shortly.
His decision to quit the party came as a shock to the CPI (M). The party district secretary M. Krishna Murty rushed to Vanaja, native village of Mr. Jayaraj, and requested him to support the sitting MLA Kolaka Lakshmana Murty.
In the meantime, Mr. Jayaraj has decided to participate in the planned dharna by Adivasi Vikas Parishad at Kurupam on Thursday. The parishad is organising the protest following denial of ticket to a tribal. The AVP is likely to announce a tribal candidate after the dharna.
http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/25/stories/2009032555360500.htm
He already started consultations with the TDP cadre in Gummalakshipuram, Kurupam and Jiyyammavalasa mandals, as the CPI (M) that won Naguru (ST) with the active support of Congress in 2004 has consolidated its position over the years thus posing a threat to the very existence of TDP in the Agency.
Now, with the allotment of Araku (ST) to the CPI (M) the TDP position in Salur (ST), Kurupam (ST) and Parvathipuram (SC) Assembly segments, that form part of the LS, would weaken further, Mr. Jayaraj argues.
“If both the seats were earmarked to the CPI (M) the cadre must have to carry flags of that party instead of TDP for canvassing,” he felt. Mr. Jayaraj, however, would wait till he heard from Mr. Naidu shortly.
His decision to quit the party came as a shock to the CPI (M). The party district secretary M. Krishna Murty rushed to Vanaja, native village of Mr. Jayaraj, and requested him to support the sitting MLA Kolaka Lakshmana Murty.
In the meantime, Mr. Jayaraj has decided to participate in the planned dharna by Adivasi Vikas Parishad at Kurupam on Thursday. The parishad is organising the protest following denial of ticket to a tribal. The AVP is likely to announce a tribal candidate after the dharna.
http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/25/stories/2009032555360500.htm
YSR to launch campaign from Chevella today
HYDERABAD: The stage is set for Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy to kick off his hectic election campaign from Chevella, the mandal headquarters town in Ranga Reddy district, that has come to identify itself with any programme launched by him, on Wednesday.
The five-day first leg of his campaign to be flagged off from Chevella on Wednesday will see him covering Ranga Reddy, Medak, Hyderabad, Mahabubnagar and Warangal districts till March 31.
Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president D. Srinivas and other PCC leaders besides Mines and Geology Minister P.Sabitha Indra Reddy, who represents the constituency, will attend.
‘Congress Jaitra Yatra’, as the election campaign is christened will see Dr. Reddy stepping out of his residence at 9.30 a.m. and proceed to garland the statues of former Prime Ministers Rajiv Gandhi and Indira Gandhi, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and Babu Jagjivan Ram in the city.
Dr. Reddy will briefly address the party workers at party headquarters, Gandhi Bhavan and proceed to Chevella. To offer prayers
On his way, he will offer prayers at Nampally dargah, Maisamma temple in Rajendranagar, Church at Moinabad and Balaji Temple at Chilkur.
Boarding his air-conditioned bus at Chevella, he will cover a distance of 115 km in Vikarabad, Parigi, Kodangal,Tandur and Zaheerabad Assembly segments on the first day.Padayatra
Chevella has come to occupy pride of place in Dr. Reddy’s heart ever since the successful ‘Prajaprasathanam’ padayatra undertaken by his in 2003 covering 1,600 km for 64 days.
For the next five years, Dr. Reddy has made it a point to launch government programmes in the mandal headquarters considering the place to bring him good omen.
http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/25/stories/2009032560460700.htm
The five-day first leg of his campaign to be flagged off from Chevella on Wednesday will see him covering Ranga Reddy, Medak, Hyderabad, Mahabubnagar and Warangal districts till March 31.
Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president D. Srinivas and other PCC leaders besides Mines and Geology Minister P.Sabitha Indra Reddy, who represents the constituency, will attend.
‘Congress Jaitra Yatra’, as the election campaign is christened will see Dr. Reddy stepping out of his residence at 9.30 a.m. and proceed to garland the statues of former Prime Ministers Rajiv Gandhi and Indira Gandhi, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and Babu Jagjivan Ram in the city.
Dr. Reddy will briefly address the party workers at party headquarters, Gandhi Bhavan and proceed to Chevella. To offer prayers
On his way, he will offer prayers at Nampally dargah, Maisamma temple in Rajendranagar, Church at Moinabad and Balaji Temple at Chilkur.
Boarding his air-conditioned bus at Chevella, he will cover a distance of 115 km in Vikarabad, Parigi, Kodangal,Tandur and Zaheerabad Assembly segments on the first day.Padayatra
Chevella has come to occupy pride of place in Dr. Reddy’s heart ever since the successful ‘Prajaprasathanam’ padayatra undertaken by his in 2003 covering 1,600 km for 64 days.
For the next five years, Dr. Reddy has made it a point to launch government programmes in the mandal headquarters considering the place to bring him good omen.
http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/25/stories/2009032560460700.htm
CPI calls for defeat of Congress, BJP
VIZIANAGARAM: Leaders and cadres of Communist Party of India will campaign in rural areas to ensure victory of nominees of the Grand Alliance.
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, party district secretary P. Kameswara Rao said that the CPI would not insist on seat but would contest if offered one in the district. Its sole aim is to defeat the Congress and the BJP in all the nine Assemblies and one Parliamentary constituency.
Stating that the Congress manifesto offered nothing new except continuing the “old corrupted schemes” like Jalayagnam, Indiramma, NREGP etc, the CPI leader said that Peddagedda was declared open two years ago but not even a drop of water was released to farmers. There was no action on inquiries conducted into the irregularities in various schemes.
On the injustice meted out to Koppula Velamas in seat allocation, he said that Minister Botcha Satyanarayana used his offices to get ticket for his family members.
http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/25/stories/2009032554080300.htm
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, party district secretary P. Kameswara Rao said that the CPI would not insist on seat but would contest if offered one in the district. Its sole aim is to defeat the Congress and the BJP in all the nine Assemblies and one Parliamentary constituency.
Stating that the Congress manifesto offered nothing new except continuing the “old corrupted schemes” like Jalayagnam, Indiramma, NREGP etc, the CPI leader said that Peddagedda was declared open two years ago but not even a drop of water was released to farmers. There was no action on inquiries conducted into the irregularities in various schemes.
On the injustice meted out to Koppula Velamas in seat allocation, he said that Minister Botcha Satyanarayana used his offices to get ticket for his family members.
http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/25/stories/2009032554080300.htm
“Paul’s promise beats TDP sops”
Whom would people vote if they were to get carried away by sops offered by parties? It will obviously be Praja Shanti Party floated by evangelist-turned-politician K.A. Paul.
According to Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, if such tall promises are to fetch votes, the party will make a killing because of the Rs. One - lakh cash transfer scheme it promises.
“This will beat even the free television and cash transfer announced by the Telugu Desam Party,” he remarked.Scribes’ strategy to cut monotony
Amid the heat of elections, it is not just politicians but journalists too have started using SMS.
Not to run a campaign, but to prevail over their colleagues not to shoot questions at boring media conferences and prolong the session.
With most of the media conferences becoming a routine affair with leaders indulging in verbal attacks on rivals and issues affecting people hardly figuring in the meetings, journalists apparently have decided to beat the politicians at their own game. Breath analysers at polling booths?
A Hyderabad-based NGO has come out with a suggestion to check inducement of voters with liquor on the polling day. “Keep breath analysers handy at every booth,” says Society for Cancer in Oral cavity Prevention through Education (SCOPE).
Breath analyser0s lying idle with the traffic police can be used for examining those suspected to be under the influence of alcohol and other addictives and prevent them from voting.
The NGO wrote to the State Chief Electoral Officer to introduce breath analysers in Hyderabad and Secunderabad Lok Sabha constituencies to begin with.
http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/25/stories/2009032554270400.htm
According to Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, if such tall promises are to fetch votes, the party will make a killing because of the Rs. One - lakh cash transfer scheme it promises.
“This will beat even the free television and cash transfer announced by the Telugu Desam Party,” he remarked.Scribes’ strategy to cut monotony
Amid the heat of elections, it is not just politicians but journalists too have started using SMS.
Not to run a campaign, but to prevail over their colleagues not to shoot questions at boring media conferences and prolong the session.
With most of the media conferences becoming a routine affair with leaders indulging in verbal attacks on rivals and issues affecting people hardly figuring in the meetings, journalists apparently have decided to beat the politicians at their own game. Breath analysers at polling booths?
A Hyderabad-based NGO has come out with a suggestion to check inducement of voters with liquor on the polling day. “Keep breath analysers handy at every booth,” says Society for Cancer in Oral cavity Prevention through Education (SCOPE).
Breath analyser0s lying idle with the traffic police can be used for examining those suspected to be under the influence of alcohol and other addictives and prevent them from voting.
The NGO wrote to the State Chief Electoral Officer to introduce breath analysers in Hyderabad and Secunderabad Lok Sabha constituencies to begin with.
http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/25/stories/2009032554270400.htm
Praja Rajyam plays ‘social justice’ card
Triangular fight?: Former Minister and TDP nominee for Kovur Nallapareddy Prasanna Kumar Reddy wooing voters in Nellore district as part of his campaign on Thursday.
KOVUR (NELLORE DIST): Tupakula Munemma, the first candidate announced by Praja Rajyam, will enter the fray against sitting MLA and Congress nominee Polamreddy Srinivasulu Reddy as also TDP candidate and former Minister Nallapareddy Prasanna Kumar Reddy in the elections.
Praja Rajyam president Chiranjeevi who was impressed by Munemma’s speech at ‘Mahila Varathi’ programme organised in Hyderabad during October last announced that the party will allot her a ticket in the ensuing elections. Keeping up the promise, the party announced her name in the fifth list on Wednesday.
Kovur, which was under Ongole Parliamentary constituency before delimitation, was a strong bastion for Reddy community and only Reddys represented the constituency since 1962. After delimitation, the constituency has come into Nellore Lok Sabha. Reddy stronghold
Though Kovur is a stronghold for Reddys, Praja Rajyam’s decision to field Munemma, an illiterate belonging to the Yanadi community, in the name of ‘social justice’ sent chills down the spine for Congress and Telugu Desam parties as there were a good number of tribal, BC and minorities’ votes in the segment.
The constituency boasts of the highest electorate of around 2,24,503, in Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore district. Of this, about 25,000 are tribals, 40,000 BCs and close to 15,000 minority and SC voters. But, the Congress, TDP and Praja Rajyam candidates are all upbeat about victory.
While Mr. Prasanna Kumar Reddy opines that dissidents and anti-incumbency will benefit TDP, Mr. Polamreddy says the fight will be between Praja Rajyam and the ruling party. The innovative schemes introduced by the Congress are the party’s strength.
On the other hand, Praja Rajyam is confident that the slogan ‘social justice’ will click at the hustings. Stating that only poor can bring social justice, Munemma (30), an daily wage labourer declares that she will strive for imposing ban on liquor and bring a seachange in the lives of the poor if she wins.Congress hitch
Mr. Prasanna Kumar Reddy who started campaigning way earlier of others in the constituency says the Congress workers and the people are vexed with the local MLA’s behaviour and Telugu Desam has an edge in the segment.
“There are several groups in the Congress in the constituency. The party leaders organised protests for allotting ticket to the sitting MLA and met the Chief Minister urging him to change the candidate.
The dissidence in the Congress will benefit TDP”, said a party worker.
The Congress nominee and MLA said that Praja Rajyam will split the votes of the TDP but sees no threat for the Congress.
The party has a good hold in Bucchireddypalem, Indukuripeta and Kodavaluru mandals, he said.
Locals says that Chiranjeevi is keen on winning in this segment as his father had worked long ago in Kovur and the film actor has childhood association with the region. The party plans to take special interest in Kovur segment, they say.
http://www.thehindu.com/2009/04/03/stories/2009040353010200.htm
KOVUR (NELLORE DIST): Tupakula Munemma, the first candidate announced by Praja Rajyam, will enter the fray against sitting MLA and Congress nominee Polamreddy Srinivasulu Reddy as also TDP candidate and former Minister Nallapareddy Prasanna Kumar Reddy in the elections.
Praja Rajyam president Chiranjeevi who was impressed by Munemma’s speech at ‘Mahila Varathi’ programme organised in Hyderabad during October last announced that the party will allot her a ticket in the ensuing elections. Keeping up the promise, the party announced her name in the fifth list on Wednesday.
Kovur, which was under Ongole Parliamentary constituency before delimitation, was a strong bastion for Reddy community and only Reddys represented the constituency since 1962. After delimitation, the constituency has come into Nellore Lok Sabha. Reddy stronghold
Though Kovur is a stronghold for Reddys, Praja Rajyam’s decision to field Munemma, an illiterate belonging to the Yanadi community, in the name of ‘social justice’ sent chills down the spine for Congress and Telugu Desam parties as there were a good number of tribal, BC and minorities’ votes in the segment.
The constituency boasts of the highest electorate of around 2,24,503, in Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore district. Of this, about 25,000 are tribals, 40,000 BCs and close to 15,000 minority and SC voters. But, the Congress, TDP and Praja Rajyam candidates are all upbeat about victory.
While Mr. Prasanna Kumar Reddy opines that dissidents and anti-incumbency will benefit TDP, Mr. Polamreddy says the fight will be between Praja Rajyam and the ruling party. The innovative schemes introduced by the Congress are the party’s strength.
On the other hand, Praja Rajyam is confident that the slogan ‘social justice’ will click at the hustings. Stating that only poor can bring social justice, Munemma (30), an daily wage labourer declares that she will strive for imposing ban on liquor and bring a seachange in the lives of the poor if she wins.Congress hitch
Mr. Prasanna Kumar Reddy who started campaigning way earlier of others in the constituency says the Congress workers and the people are vexed with the local MLA’s behaviour and Telugu Desam has an edge in the segment.
“There are several groups in the Congress in the constituency. The party leaders organised protests for allotting ticket to the sitting MLA and met the Chief Minister urging him to change the candidate.
The dissidence in the Congress will benefit TDP”, said a party worker.
The Congress nominee and MLA said that Praja Rajyam will split the votes of the TDP but sees no threat for the Congress.
The party has a good hold in Bucchireddypalem, Indukuripeta and Kodavaluru mandals, he said.
Locals says that Chiranjeevi is keen on winning in this segment as his father had worked long ago in Kovur and the film actor has childhood association with the region. The party plans to take special interest in Kovur segment, they say.
http://www.thehindu.com/2009/04/03/stories/2009040353010200.htm
Rajasekhar may find the going tough in Chilakaluripet
Marri Rajasekhar
CHILAKALURIPET: Congress MLA Marri Rajasekhar has a penchant for bull-racing and has been dutifully conducting the annual bull-race competitions every January in memory of his father-in-law and three-time MLA Somepalli Sambaiah. But as elections approach, Mr. Rajasekhar is finding the going as difficult as riding a rampaging bull.
A range of factors including, simmering rebel trouble, a resurgent Prathipati Pulla Rao and the polarisation of the influential Kapu votes, might challenge Mr. Rajasekhar as he attempts to rewrite history by becoming the first MLA to be elected successive terms in the electoral history of the constituency.Worthy successor
Somepalli Sambaiah has won three times in 1978, 1985 and 1994 and after Mr. Rajasekhar had stepped in his shoes, managed to win in the first attempt itself in the year 2004.
In the 2004 elections, Mr. Rakasekhar stood as an independent and managed to scamper home by a margin of just 212 votes. The Congress fielded Malladi Sivanarayana against Mr. Pulla Rao, a cotton baron and president of district unit of TDP. The re-admission of Mr. Rajasekhar into the Congress was a mere formality.
As elections approach, Mr. Rajasekhar finds himself locked in a tussle with familiar rival, Mr. Pulla Rao. The Praja Rajyam Party might field either an RMP doctor Hanif or Annam Srinivasa Rao.
But rebel trouble poses the biggest challenge for this advocate turned politician. Over 1,000 Congress activists were tipped to resign on Wednesday and cross the fence over to PRP. Some of the disgruntled party men like M. Radhakrishna, who have tried till the last minute to wrest the seat, were making moves to work against him.
The constituency is one of the few constituencies which had retained most of its mandals. It now constitutes Chilakaluripet Town, Yadlapadu and Nadendla mandals with three villages from the erstwhile Prathipadu constituency, Turlapadu, Sandepudi and Unnava being merged into the assembly segment.
http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/25/stories/2009032555710600.htm
CHILAKALURIPET: Congress MLA Marri Rajasekhar has a penchant for bull-racing and has been dutifully conducting the annual bull-race competitions every January in memory of his father-in-law and three-time MLA Somepalli Sambaiah. But as elections approach, Mr. Rajasekhar is finding the going as difficult as riding a rampaging bull.
A range of factors including, simmering rebel trouble, a resurgent Prathipati Pulla Rao and the polarisation of the influential Kapu votes, might challenge Mr. Rajasekhar as he attempts to rewrite history by becoming the first MLA to be elected successive terms in the electoral history of the constituency.Worthy successor
Somepalli Sambaiah has won three times in 1978, 1985 and 1994 and after Mr. Rajasekhar had stepped in his shoes, managed to win in the first attempt itself in the year 2004.
In the 2004 elections, Mr. Rakasekhar stood as an independent and managed to scamper home by a margin of just 212 votes. The Congress fielded Malladi Sivanarayana against Mr. Pulla Rao, a cotton baron and president of district unit of TDP. The re-admission of Mr. Rajasekhar into the Congress was a mere formality.
As elections approach, Mr. Rajasekhar finds himself locked in a tussle with familiar rival, Mr. Pulla Rao. The Praja Rajyam Party might field either an RMP doctor Hanif or Annam Srinivasa Rao.
But rebel trouble poses the biggest challenge for this advocate turned politician. Over 1,000 Congress activists were tipped to resign on Wednesday and cross the fence over to PRP. Some of the disgruntled party men like M. Radhakrishna, who have tried till the last minute to wrest the seat, were making moves to work against him.
The constituency is one of the few constituencies which had retained most of its mandals. It now constitutes Chilakaluripet Town, Yadlapadu and Nadendla mandals with three villages from the erstwhile Prathipadu constituency, Turlapadu, Sandepudi and Unnava being merged into the assembly segment.
http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/25/stories/2009032555710600.htm
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)