Concerns that arose post-bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, ‘corruption’ tag associated with the YSRC and faith in experienced leadership have completely tilted the scales in favour of the Telugu Desam in Andhra-Rayalaseema, asserted party chief N Chandrababu Naidu.
Minutes after wrapping up his hectic electioneering, the last one at Tenali town also known as Andhra Paris on Monday, Naidu told Express in an exclusive interview that he has no doubt his party will be voted to power in the residuary State. “It is only a question of how much majority will we get. I will not be surprised even if it is a landslide. First-time voters are with us as are voters belonging to various sections, whether it is middle-class employees, farmers or the poor,” the TDP chief averred.
But what are the factors that tilted the balance in favour of the TDP-BJP combine? According to Naidu, there are serious concerns among people of Seemandhra about the future of the State and that of the present generation which is looking forward to better prospects.
Even the poorer sections are making sure that their children are educated and it is their future that is worrying them. “I have no doubt that they see hope only if the TDP is elected to power,” he said. Earlier, addressing a well-attended gathering, he emphasized the same point.
“The choice is clear before you. If you vote for YSRC, the party leaders will loot the State and the people as well. On the other hand, I have a vision that combines both welfare and development. If you don’t turn up at the polling booths Wednesday, the loss will be yours,” he told the crowd amid cheers. In a lighter vein, he also advised them not to accept money given by YSRC candidates as it is fake currency. “Similarly, don’t consume the liquor given by them as it is adulterated and could even lead to death,” he warned.
Later, sipping tea while taking a brief break in his campaign vehicle, Naidu told Express that the situation on the ground has changed completely in the last one week. “The sense that I get from the people is that they have realised the hollowness of the claims being made by Jagan Mohan Reddy and would like to vote for a party that will ensure corruption-free governance,” he said. Conceding that the fruits of development between 1994-2004 didn’t reach all sections, the TDP chief asserted that this time round, he will make sure that the growth is far more inclusive.
According to him, the teething problems in formalising the alliance with the BJP have been taken care of and both he and Narendra Modi have succeeded in spreading the development mantra among the masses. Before returning to Hyderabad for pre-election strategisation, Naidu offered prayers at the Kanaka Durga Temple in Vijayawada. May 16 will decide, whether his prayers have been answered.