The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : An arduous exercise by leaders

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 26, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

An arduous exercise by leaders

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, APRIL 25. The TDP president, N. Chandrababu Naidu, and the former CLP leader, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, completed three weeks of gruelling campaign on Saturday.

If Mr. Naidu preferred heli-hopping and road shows, Dr. Reddy just hit the road making people draw similarities with his `padayatra' last year.

Mr. Naidu and Dr. Reddy ultimately turned out to be the star campaigners for their parties. The attention of voters in the last three weeks was focussed mostly on them, except during the brief intervals where the Prime Minister, A.B. Vajapayee and the AICC president, Sonia Gandhi, campaigned in the State.

The Chief Minister covered 179 Assembly and 39 Lok Sabha segments during his 21-day campaign which began at Tirupati.

Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy launched his 5,544-km `jaitra yatra' from Chevella in Ranga Reddy district where Sabitha Indra Reddy welcomed him and concluded it at Nandikotkur where Gouru Charita bid farewell.

Dr. Reddy covered 162 Assembly and 38 Lok Sabha segments in 20 days.

The two leaders almost had similar campaign styles. Both of them spent time sorting out party matters in the morning over phone and continued their campaigns. Dr. Reddy, in addition, used to address a press conference every day at 9 a.m. before hitting the road.

Both of them tried their best to appease rebels in their camps during their campaign. It is going to be a well-earned rest for them now - at least till May 11 when votes are counted.

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