RAPTADU: “I had been leading a happy and peaceful life as a housewife till the Congress killed my husband. To protect you all and the followers of my husband I had to plunge into active politics. Support me and I will protect your interests.’’ That is how Paritala Sunitha, wife of slain Paritala Ravindra (Ravi), campaigning in the newly-formed Raptadu Assembly constituency in Anatapur district.
ENS tracked down Sunitha’s unique campaign which was devoid of any pomp and show. “The Congress killed not only my husband but as many as 48 TDP leaders. I am like your sister and am in dire straits. Kindly help me help you. If I am elected I will stand by you and solve all your problems,’’ she tells voters.
She also recalls the good services done by Paritala Ravi such as helping the poor to perform marriages of their daughters. “Unfortunately, now I am not in a position to perform marriages. I need your support,’’ she said.
On a typical day Sunitha started from her village Venkatapuram at 8 am and visited Atmakur mandal for campaign. Vepacherla up thanda and down thanda, Sanapa, Rangampet, Thopudarthi, Madiguba, B Yaleru were the villages where she campaigned.
Wherever she went Sunitha was accorded a warm welcome by people, especially the women. In several villages, women waited anxiously to receive Sunitha.
In Thopudarthi, the native village of Congress candidate Prakash Reddy, Sunitha got an overhelming response from the people.
Sunitha urged the voters not to get lured by the promises made by the Congress not to fall prey to the lure of money and liquor supplied by them. “The money that the Congress distributes and the liquor it supplies is all the ill-gotten money that the Congress leader got through contracts.
It is your money they are spending. By all means take whatever is given but vote for me,’’ she said.
She assured people that once TDP came to power, colour TVs would be given and Cash Transfer Scheme would be implemented. She also assured them that permanent houses would also be allotted to the needy.
She asked the voters not succumb to pressures or threats. She also highlighted the corrupt practices of the Congress. By and large, people were extending their support to Sunitha. Her campaign style was well received by the voters in the constituency.
