TIRUPATI: The High Court's verdict quashing the notification issued for the local body elections has come as a bolt from the blue for district Congress camp while it has touched off elation among the rival TDP leaders. The two Left parties - CPI(M) and CPI however showed a measured reaction.

There was marked gloom in the district Congress camp as the news broke. The party leaders could hardly conceal their displeasure at the `intervention' of the High Court. Some leaders however tried to put up a brave face saying that they would get a favourable judgement from the Apex Court. In contrast the picture in the TDP camp is one of elation. The district party leaders at the press conference termed the verdict as a slap on the face of the State Government and the SEC. As for the two left parties, their stands are almost identical. Though they welcomed the verdict they felt that it could have been avoided at the late hour.

`Pandora's Box'

KURNOOL: The contestants here fear that they might not be able to whip up the same zeal among the public if the election is held after a few weeks. The decision of the High Court hurt the ruling party leadership and contestants most. A ruling party leader said, "Our strategy is exposed now. We may not be able to execute it with the same dexterity next time."

Another leader, who did not want to be named said, "The High Court judgment opened a Pandora's box, which is difficult to handle." The ruling party announced candidates for 32 seats out of 53 and had almost finalised another 15 names. Discussions were slated on Tuesday for the contentious seats.

Some solace

DCC chief and Mayor S. Raghurami Reddy, who took pains in finalising the list said the decision was "definitely a shock" but it gave more time to overcome the mistakes committed in the earlier round.

The High Court interference brought no cheers to the candidates who had already spent about 15 per cent of their budget so far. Those who indulged in extravagance at the time of filing of nominations and "convincing the rebels" to retire from the contest might find the postponement a bit too expensive.

Cost of freedom

The Congress leaders remarked that the crisis would push them into the defensive as the opposition parties would use the High Court strictures as main point of the campaign in the election. In the enthusiasm to win the election, the party gave freedom to the local leaders to handle the situation, which caused embarrassment for the Government, the Congress leaders regretted.

NELLORE: The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy resignation in the wake of the High Court's verdict.

Judiciary's wrath

"It is not the first time that the State Government is facing judiciary's wrath. This judgment has vindicated our stand on irregularities in the preparation of electoral lists and delimitation of territorial constituencies for the panchayat polls," former minister and TDP district president Somireddy Chandramohana Reddy told reporters on Tuesday.

Against this backdrop, the Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy should resign on moral grounds. The Court's judgment was indeed a slap on both for the ruling party as well as the State Election Commission, he claimed.

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