The Hindu : It's always vote for merit

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 19, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

It's always vote for merit

<90,100><232,0,0,0,0>KURNOOL

<90>

<167,5p,1>Voters <132>2,59,969

Women<132>: 1,30,740

Men: 1,29,229

By D. Sreenivasulu

THE ELECTORATE of Kurnool Assembly constituency have always proved that they are wiser in electing their representative. There is no evidence to support the theory that they have ever been overcome by the tendencies of caste and creed.

Leaders with faction background have been shunned. A leader with faction background has frankly admitted that voters of Kurnool city will never support highhandedness and it is unwise to contest the election without clean image.

In the last five elections since 1983, V. Rambhupal Choudary won three times and M.A. Gafoor (CPI-M) and T.G. Venkatesh (TDP) won once each. Mr. Choudary won the seat on TDP ticket in 1983 and the subsequent two elections in 1985 and 1989 on Congress ticket. After winning the election against K.E. Krishna Murthy (Congress at that time), Mr. Gafoor consolidated the vote bank of the CPI(M) in the city, especially among minorities.

In the last election, Mr. Gafoor polled 29,000 votes, which helped the TDP win the seat. Mr. Venkatesh polled 56,543 votes while Mr. Choudary secured 42,068 votes. The possible electoral alliance between the Congress and the CPI(M) this time has disappointed Congress aspirants. D. Vishnuvardhan Reddy and Mr. Rambhupal Choudary have aspired for Congress ticket. However, both are aware that Kurnool seat may go to the CPI(M) in case the alliance is formalised.

The former CLP leader, Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, has told party men that the CPI(M) may stake claim for Kurnool since it has polled considerable votes in every election in Rayalaseema region. He has asked them to be prepared for sacrifice if the alliance is formalised.

Congress aspirants have registered their protest with the party high command saying that they may take drastic steps in the case of seat being offered to the CPI(M). Mr. Vishnuvardhan Reddy has threatened to contest as Independent while Mr. Choudary's supporters have said their leader may quit the party.

Though the talks for an alliance have failed, CPI(M) leaders are pinning hopes on the intervention of the central leadership of both parties since the Congress and the CPI(M) have broader understanding at national level. CPI(M) leaders have been actively campaigning in the city with the intention that they will be in the race either as alliance candidate or Independent.

The re-nomination of Mr. Venkatesh as TDP candidate is almost finalised. Mr. Venkatesh has been alive to the situation for the last one year and has consolidated his position by organising various sections of people.

The intra-party feud both in TDP and the Congress is likely lead to cross-voting in the constituency. Political rivalry between T.G. Venkatesh and the CPI(M) also reached a flash point.

Meanwhile, political parties are busy computing the numbers of various caste and religious groups. Muslims account for 70,000 votes, Reddys 23,000, SCs 46,000, Brahmins 12,000 and Vysyas 21,000.

The electoral history of Kurnool city reveals that social groups have never voted en bloc for any candidate. In 1983, Mr. Choudary, without any major backing of his caste, won over Dawood Khan. Voters more or less go by the merit of the candidate.

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