Lax TDP candidates rely on welfare schemes, CM image

Vijayawada: TDP candidates are not campaigning vigorously as they are confident that the welfare schemes implemented by the state government will help for their victory. They also depend upon Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's image to see them through. The candidates are not aggressive in electioneering work compared to the last election, say the analysts.

The party election wing, which compromises several senior leaders, is worried about the present situation. Though the party position is satisfactory at grass-root level, candidates are not doing necessary ground work in many places, laments a TDP senior leader. In fact, the TDP has launched the electioneering with full confidence of returning to power again. Majority of the sitting MLAs and constituency in-charges were given tickets.

The TDP leadership started highlighting the welfare schemes along with the image of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. Apart from this, the TDP has launched campaign attacking the YSRCP leaders. However, at the same time they are underestimating the strength of YSRCP and its leadership, opine some party seniors.

A senior leader said that a TDP sitting MLA who holds a key portfolio in the Cabinet did not supply any food or even drinking water to the activists and people who accompanied him at the time of filing of his nomination. He also said that the same situation was prevailing in several constituencies.Likewise, one sitting MP of the TDP is not working hard due to his confidence of winning the seat. He reportedly spent huge amount money for his first election in the past, but now remained silent.

Previously, the TDP candidates used to provide facilities to the party workers, focus on publicity to draw the attention of the neutral voters."The situation in Mangalagiri is not so easy in Mangalagiri constituency where IT and panchayat raj minister Nara Lokesh is contesting, but the electioneering is not so impressive there," said a party leader from Nutakki village in the constituency.

Several Assembly segments in Machilipatnam parliament constituency are witnessing a tough fight between TDP and YSRCP. Party candidates in Gudivada, Gannavaram, and Penamaluru are working hard but it is not up to the needed level, says an analyst A Brahmaiah. Moreover, the community which is considered as backbone for the party is not taking part in the campaigning enthusiastically this time, say sources.