VIJAYAWADA: As the clock struck 5 in the evening, the cacophony of the election campaign fell silent. Although water from Budameru drain stormed at least 10 divisions in the city, the administration hopes to conduct the elections.

All political parties, barring the Left parties, wanted the authorities to wait for the water in the inundated areas to recede and then complete the election process.

Major political parties conducted colourful campaigns in the city to woo the electorate.

The candidates began an intensive campaign only after September 9, the last day for withdrawal of nominations.

Stalwarts deployed

All political parties deployed their stalwarts for the campaign. TDP president N.Chandrababu Naidu and his Congress counterpart, K.Keshava Rao, conducted roadshows. Chief Minister Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy also visited the city, though not exactly for campaigning.

Finance Minister K.Rosaiah canvassed for the Congress-Left candidates. Former Union Ministers Bandaru Dattatreya and U.V.Krishnam Raju and senior leader Bangaru Lakshman were brought in by the BJP to campaign for its 45 contestants.

CPI State secretary K.Narayana literally camped here to oversee the forging of an alliance between the Congress and the Left parties and saw through the campaign process.

National secretariat member of the CPI Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy canvassed for the alliance candidates. CPI (M) State secretary B.V.Raghavulu conducted a roadshow only in the divisions where his party candidates are seeking an election.

Former Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu led the TDP's campaign.

Cases booked

Congress aspirants, who were denied ticket, filed nominations in some divisions and obstructed local leaders from campaigning in favour of the official nominees of the party.

The police booked cases against them. The party suspended 20 such rebels.

Roadshow

Incessant rain and frequent power breakdowns marred the roadshow of the TDP chief. Floods in the Krishna and Budameru drain marred the campaign.

While 14 divisions suffered badly due to the floods, another five experienced partial damage.

Municipal Commissioner N.Gulzar said that there was provision to postpone elections in the flood-hit divisions, but no decision was taken as yet.

Except in New Rajarajeswaripet and Payakapuram, water may recede fast paving way for the conduct of elections.

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