Finally the election campaign in Seemandhra concludes and more 36 hours this residuary of Andhra Pradesh will go for polling. With the bifurcation of the state, the political scenario in Seemandhra changed drastically. The main fight will be between TDP and YSR Congress party while Congress, Jai Samaikyandhra Party, CPM, BJP will play only minimal role.
TDP in alliance with BJP is expecting to get back in power after a decade. It is an advantage for TDP - BJP alliance with Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan backed and intensively campaigned for them. Narendra Modi, Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan public meetings were huge success which gave the TDP cadre some relief. Till the last day, Pawan and Naidu campaigned and covered almost the entire Seemandhra region. Lokesh, Balakrishan, Nara Rohit added little glamor to the campaign. Lokesh took care of his dad's constituency Kuppam while Chandrababu was aggressively touring. Balayya visited few places and confined to Hindupur from where he is contesting for the first time.
BJP has pinned high hopes in alliance with TDP and for the first time it is contesting in maximum seats. BJP too banked heavily on Narendra Modi and Pawan Kalyan wave. Heroes Sivaji and actor Suresh gave moral boost to the party.
YSR Congress party is in do or die situation. Though opinion polls survey showed it will perform below average, the charisma of YS Jagan may work in favor. YS Jagan, Vijayamma and Sharmila campaigned in many key segments where the party was strong and absence of star campaigner and cine glamor is a big disappointing thing for the YSRCP. Nonetheless, this party is heavily banking on the schemes and development done by late YSR but at the same time, the disproportionate assets and CBI cases against Jagan are haunting him as well as the party.
Congress is completely dead in Seemandhra. Though Chiranjeevi, APCC chief Raghuveera tried their best and campaigned, they got lackluster response from the public. Congress President Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi campaigned only once and rest of the responsibility was left on the local leaders of respective constituencies. Many leaders quit the party and joined TDP and so many new faces were given chance this time. Congress leaders and high command new that it will be poor show by it in the elections but still they are optimistic.
Jai Samaikyandhra Party [JSP], this party when into the public with only motive to fight against the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh state. Yet, Kiran Kumar Reddy miserably failed to catch the sentiment and the most shocking thing is he ruled himself out from the poll battle and fielded his brother Kishore Reddy. From JSP too many new faces are making political entrance and Kiran Kumar took the campaign responsibility. But sadly after the bifurcation, Seemandhra people are looking for credible leader who can develop it within a span of five years like no other state in this country.
The rest of the parties don't have prominence in Seemandhra and winning chances for them are very rare. It will be one on one battle for regional parties. Each party has attracted the public with their manifesto, campaign and promises but who will ultimately the people's trust will be revealed on May 16th.
(AW: Vamshi)
