Congress faces tough contest in seven segments

ONGOLE: A day before the second phase of the elections in the Prakasam district, though the odds appear in favour of the Congress, the Telugu Desam may just about manage to edge out the Congress.

On the other hand candidates of both the parties are getting nightmares in two constituencies due to the PRP.

All the parties are out to woo the women voters who form the largest chunk of voters and are the deciding factor. Of the two constituencies bordering Guntur district - Yerragondapalem and Darsi - the TDP appears strong in Yerragondlapalem. In this constituency which is home to migrant workers, there is a strong caste factor in favour of the TDP in four mandals - Yerragondapalem, Pullalacheruvu, Tripurantakam and the Pedaravidu.

Further, the Congress appears to have lost its Yadava vote to the PRP and a section of Madigas appear to favour TDP. To add to the woes of the Congress, its candidate Adimalapu Suresh is a non-local and making his debut into politics. In Darsi constituency, PRP candidate is very rich and there are chances that he will use his money clout. The TDP is banking on its traditional Kamma vote base. Congress MLA here has not done much for the development of the constituency and his son, Congress candidate, Buchepalli Sivaprasada Reddy has not developed a rapport with the locals.

Among Parchur, Addanki and Chirala constituencies, the Congress seems to have an edge in Addanki following B Ch Garataiah quitting TDP and joining Congress. He quit after TDP nominated Karanam Balarama from the constituency.

Further, Gottipati Ravi Kumar is favoured over Balaram for his good behaviour.

The PRP is unlikely to have any affect here.

In Chirala, the TDP seems to have a clear advantage with the public opinion strongly against the VANPIC, which falls in the constituency.

Anti-incumbency might see the defeat of Daggubati Venkateswara Rao in Parchur constituency. However, there are chances that he might still win due to the internal differences within the TDP ranks here and he getting the support of D Rama Naidu.

The Congress appears to have the edge in Ongole, SN Padu (Santanutalapadu) and the Kandukur constituencies.

In SN Padu constituency, famous for Chimakurthy granite mines, the future prospects of the industry is likely to influence the outcome. Although the Congress has given the seat to a political novice and son of a former IAS officer, K Vijay Kumar, the electorate seems to be heavily loaded in his favour, thanks to both the Kamma and Reddy communities thinking of supporting the Congress candidate over the Mahakutami candidate Jala Anjaiah of the CPM. Ongole MLA Balineni Srinivasulu Reddy also seems to be going strong in the constituency. But, the police harassment of the TDP and PRP leaders, reportedly at the behest of the MLA, are likely to mar his chances.

Lack of development in Kondepi might turn the voter in favour of the TDP. Further, the presence of a rebel Congress candidate is likely to affect the chances of the party.

In Markapur constituency, the money clout of the PRP candidate may turn the outcome in his favour.

Though the Congress has fielded a novice Chandrasekhar Yadav from Giddalur, the ongoing Veligonda project may work in favour of the ruling party.

However, lack of development in the constituency may tilt the balance in favour of the TDP.

In Kanigiri, the Congress is bound to win in the absence of TDP candidate.

The TDP nominee, Kadiri Babu Rao forgot to sign the nomination papers and his papers were rejected.

On the whole, while the Congress is sure of win in one constituency, it appears to have an edge in four constituencies, while the TDP has an edge in three constituencies. The rest four constituencies will witness keen fights.

(source: www.expressbuzz.com)