JANGAON: Despite the threat of rebel candidates and a strong opponent in the form of Congress candidate Janga Raghava Reddy, five-time MLA and TRS Palakurthi candidate Errabelli Dayakar Rao is sounding confident of emerging the winner on December 7 Assembly elections.
Dayakar Rao, who toured Rayaparthy mandal of his constituency on Tuesday, visited several tribal hamlets and interacted with people, seeking their support in the elections.
Speaking about his switch from TDP to TRS, in a freewheeling chat with Express, he said: I had decided to join TRS because I believed I could take up development works. After joining TRS, with the help of KCR (TRS chief), I brought water to the constituency, improved roads, hospitals and agriculture facilities. This time I would see that all the homeless get houses.”
“Most of the poor are demanding houses. I have promised them that we will get the houses constructed on their lands. I have planned for it. I will implement them after winning the polls,” a confident Dayakar Rao said. Here are the excerpts from the interview:
Q: How confident are you of victory?
Very confident. I have been representing the constituency since 2009 and in these ten years I had taken up several development works, including road projects, supply of water for irrigation purpose and drinking water, and construction of houses. People trust me and they believe that I have been working for development and will continue to do so. Hence, I am confident that they would once again vote for me. I think I will win by an at least 50,000-vote margin.
Q: Will switching over to TRS from TDP affect your poll prospects?
No, not at all. All the TRS followers are co-operating with me for the last two years. I am confident that they would help me in winning the seat this time.
Q: Are you worried about opponents and rebel candidates?
I have peoples’ support. So why should I worry about anyone.
Q: Which mandal of the constituency will be tough for you?
A: I think it will be Thorrur mandal. People in this mandal are not opening up. Cannot say how much support I will get from there.
Q: Which section of voters are you focussing more?
A: Tribals constitute 24.5 percent of the total voters in this constituency. They will play a vital role. Hence, I am giving more priority to tribal hamlets.