ELURU: All eyes are on the Palacole Assembly segment in West Godavari district, with Praja Rajyam Party president Chiranjeevi contesting here.
Though it is home turf for the actorturned- politician in terms of nativity, an easy win is by no means a foregone conclusion.
The constituency is a TDP stronghold -- the yellow party having represented it for the past three terms.
What’s more, sitting legislator Ch Satyanarayana enjoys a good reputation.
The party leaders are planning a roadshow of Chandrababu Naidu in Palacole to send out the message that it is game for a fight.
As for the Congress, it is fielding Bangaru Usha Rani (an Arya Vysya and former municipal chairman). It is perhaps for the first time in four decades that a non-Kapu is being put up.
Hitherto all the major parties have played it safe in view of the clout of the Kapu community in this segment.
Usha Rani has 15 years’ political experience and has served the party in various capacities.
The Chiranjeevi camp is projecting a confident image, with PRP senior leader Ch Harirama Jogaiah in charge of the campaign in the constituency, but the voters seem not to have made up their minds yet as there is a rumour going around that the film star was likely to vacate the seat after winning the election.
Putting things bluntly is farmer Geddada Satyanarayana of Yelamanchili village. The people, he says, will not blindly support Chiranjeevi as a majority of them had benefited from the welfare schemes of the Congress in some way or the other.
Asks another farmer, Koppineedi Satyam of Penumadam village in Poduru mandal, West Godavari district: ``How can I support Chiranjeevi who left the place so long ago. He may be an artiste but he has failed to do anything for the region.’’ The film glamour factor might influence some youths and women, is the view of ryot Manchem Veeraraghavulu of Dagguluru village in Palacole mandal.
However, that may be, the battle lines are drawn. Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy will be in Palacole tomorrow. After campaigning there, he will participate in the road show in Bhimavaram and Undi and make a night halt at Eluru.
It may be recalled that Reddy had aslo halted for the night at Eluru during his campaign last month to discuss with the leaders the poll prospects of the Congress in view of West Godavari being Chiranjeevi’s home district.
