YSRC cautious after TSR entry

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The entry of Mr T. Subbarami Reddy as the Congress candidate for the Nellore Lok Sabha byelection has rejuvenated the party cadre which was reeling from its defeat in the bypolls to the Kovur segment recently.

The image of Mr Reddy, as TSR as he is known to everyone, as the benefactor who developed Visakhapatnam during his two terms as Lok Sabha member and even later, and a philanthropist precedes him in Nellore. Indeed, as far back as six months ago, way before the political developments that necessitated the bypoll had occurred, TSR had promised to build shelters for families attending on patients in two important hospitals in Nellore apart from construction of an air-conditioned auditorium at an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore to stage cultural programmes.

TSR, who has completed two rounds of campaigning, filed his nomination papers on Thursday ahead of a rally with hundreds of people participating. TSR faces Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy of the YSR Congress, whose resignation necessitated the bypoll, and former legislator Vonteru Venugopal Reddy of Telugu Desam.

TSR’s entry has shaken the YSR camp out of its Kovuru-induced victory —probably no other candidate the Congress put up could have done that. The YSR Congress has changed its strategy and is beginning a series of road shows. It is banking on the sympathy and sentiment for YSR, and is focusing on the rural areas. The Telugu Desam is banking on its traditional vote bank, and is hoping the Congress votes will be split between the party and the YSR Congress.

TSR said he is drawing support from all segments including the dominant Reddys, Kammas, SCs, minorities, Christians and weavers who form the major chunk of voters. Being promoted by the Congress as ‘Praja Star’ (star of the people), TSR said: “Every community is supporting me and promising me their vote. This is a new trend. Earlier some communities were said to be attached with one particular party or the other. Now things have changed.”