Bypolls 2012 is a significant chapter in India politics. For just 18 assembly constituencies and one Lok Sabha seat, the media and people country shifted their focus from burning topics to Andhra Pradesh politics. In fact, general elections in a particular state too never gained so much of significance at least in the national media.
It was war of votes between Congress party and the arch rival of the Congress, Jagan Reddy who landed 18 candidates from his YSR Congress party to send across strong signals to Delhi. While Congress in state lost its backbone after losing YSR Reddy in a plane crash, the party apparently lost its roots too when Jagan's mother raised suspicions on the death of her husband YSR Reddy.
Congress took every possible step to keep the party running, but sudden hike in prices including petrol prices and frequent power cuts in the state cornered the party. And they showed what exactly they felt in the form of votes. It's actually astonoshing to note that a ruling party in the state has lost deposits in two constituencies. In Macharla and Prattipadu, Congress has lost its deposits.
The Congress high command should swiftly look into issue and take necessary steps in order to revive the party in the state lest party retaining power in 2014 will be turning practically impossible.
(AW Phani)
