The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Srihari facing stiff challenge

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Monday, Apr 13, 2009
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Srihari facing stiff challenge

Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao

T. Rajaiah

Kadiam Srihari

STATION GHANPUR (WARANGAL DT.): Telugu Desam senior leader Kadiam Srihari, who is representing this Assembly constituency for the third time, is leaving no stone unturned to regain this seat despite strong opposition from Congress and Praja Rajyam candidates.

The Station Ghanpur Assembly constituency has lost some strong TDP pockets and acquired Lingala Ghanpur and Raghunathpalli mandals which are traditional bases of Congress after delimitation.

Mr. Srihari who was elected MLA from here in 1994 and 1999 lost to TRS candidate G Vijayarama Rao in 2004.

In the by-election in 2008, Mr Srihari bounced back defeating TRS and Congress candidates.

However, he is facing stiff competition this time as his staunch supporter Aruri Ramesh is in the fray on PR ticket. Mr Ramesh, who unsuccessfully tried to get the TDP ticket in the by-election, distanced himself from Mr. Srihari and joined the PR. He is expected to cut into the vote bank of Mr. Srihari.

Another factor to the disadvantage of Mr. Srihari is the entry of the CPI (M) candidate N. Ratnamala in the contest in defiance of the seat adjustments among partners of Grand Alliance.

The vote bank of CPI (M) in the constituency is 10,000 strong.

A positive feature for Mr. Srihari is the presence of a well knit party cadre and traditional vote bank in Station Ghanpur, Dharmasagar and Jafargarh mandals.

It might turn out to be easy going for Mr. Srihari if the TRS and TDP combination clicks well.

Congress candidate Dr. T. Rajaiah tasted defeat thrice in the past. He is, however, faced with dissidence within party.

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