Kesineni pins hopes on welfare, PVP focuses on jobs

Vijayawada: With only two weeks left for the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, candidates contesting for the Vijayawada Lok Sabha constituency have intensified their campaign and are making whirlwind visits and meeting people. Vijayawada sitting MP Kesineni Srinivas alias Nani, is contesting for the second time. Last time, he defeated Koneru Rajendra Prasad of YSRCP by a margin of over 70,000 votes in 2014 elections.

Now, Kesineni Srinivas is hopeful of retaining the seat. The YSRCP has chosen businessman Potluri Vara Prasad, popularly known as PVP for the seat. Both leaders have been campaigning intensely in the constituency and trying to win the prestigious Lok Sabha seat in the capital region.

In all, seven Assembly segments are under the limits of Vijayawada Lok Sabha constituency. Vijayawada East, Vijayawada Central, Vijayawada West, Nandigama, Jaggaiahpet, Mylavaram and Tiruvuru segments fall under the Lok Sabha constituency. Total electorate are 15 lakh in the constituency.

Speaking on the election campaign, Kesineni Nani said, "I have always been with the people since 2014, and my service activities and development works would help me win the poll battle." He is confident that his contribution to the development of Vijayawada Airport, Vijayawada Railway Station, construction of national highways and bypass roads would help him win the election.

"Construction of houses to the poor in the capital region and development of infrastructure facilities in the Lok Sabha constituency are my top priorities," he told The Hans India.Swaasth Kutumbam, a health scheme, being implemented by Kesineni Nani with the help of Tata Trusts is beneficial to 2.5 lakh families in 265 villages in the Lok Sabha segment. Nearly 10 lakh people are being benefited with the health scheme. Besides, Kesineni is helping the unemployed youth to get training to get employment.

YSRCP candidate PVP is carrying out his campaign with the slogan, 'Let us make Vijayawada Great.' The YSRCP leader lays more emphasis on setting up of career counselling centres in Vijayawada so that the educated youth can hone their skills and settle in jobs.Besides, PVP is insisting on transformation of Vijayawada into Fun City with construction of world-class convention centres to host mega entertainment and award presentation programmes.

"Vijayawada will be transformed from Frustrated City to Fun city if I am elected," said PVP. He is assuring the people that he would focus on the development of infrastructure facilities like underground drainage, roads and other physical amenities in the city to make it more liveable and beautiful.

The YSRCP candidate is taking part in campaign along with party candidates contesting for different Assembly constituencies in the city. Similar to that of TDP, the YSRCP is also a cadre-based party and thousands of party workers are campaigning for the victory of party candidates for the past few weeks.