VISAKHAPATNAM: TDP leaders see better prospects in the repolling to the Visakhapatnam-I Assembly byelection. With 10 days to go for the repoll on March 25, the party urban unit on Tuesday held a meeting to gear up the campaign and chalk out a ward-wise plan for the purpose. The byelection was held on February 19 but a repolling was ordered by the Election Commission after an inquiry into allegations of distribution of money and liquor in violation of the model code of conduct.

Addressing the meeting, party State secretary and former MP MVVS Murthy said the repoll was caused by the inefficiency of the Government to conduct a free and fair election. Accusing the Congress MLAs of acting in a highhanded manner, he said the TDP cadres should go to the people and tell them about the circumstances that led to repoll. "That will further improve our prospects,'' he felt.

Naidu's pat

Former Minister and party observer N. Chinna Rajappa said party president N. Chandrababu complimented the manner in which TDP went about the campaign. Its pursuit of the alleged violations of the model code of conduct and taking them to the notice of the EC led to the repolling. He said that responsibilities would be handed over ward-wise to five to 10 partymen to work for the party in the byelection. Another observer Boddu Bhaskara Rama Rao, party district president Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy and nominee for the byelection SA Rehman were present.

Senior leader M. Sundaram Patrudu charged the Congress with not mending its ways even after a re-election was ordered.

BJP campaign

The Bharatiya Janata Party's candidate for Visakha-I by-election S. Kasi Viswanatha Raju on Tuesday went round Acthiammapeta in 12 Division to seek support for his candidature.

Mr. Viswanatha Raju highlighted the programmes implemented by former Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee and former MLA K. Haribabu, and criticised the Congress for not implementing its promises like loans on an interest of 25 paise, revolving funds for women self-help groups.

He urged the voters to support BJP and reject those distributing money and liquor as an inducement to voters.

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