Son-rise dreams of 3 TDP powerful leaders shattered

Anantapur: Three youngsters, all in their 20s dream of stepping into the shoes of their fathers and carve out a political future for themselves. Their elders thought that their big names would fetch votes and do miracles for their sons. They were highly confident of their sons' victory and even assured their boss N Chandrababu Naidu that it would be a cake walk for their sons as they have taken up the responsibility personally to get their wards elected.

The leaders were so confident that the people, who nurtured them and patronised them for 30-40 years would not ditch them. They firmly believed that their family hegemony over their traditional constituencies would be protected by their trusted voters.

They had no doubts about TDP romping home once again with a thumping majority, but this stunning defeat left them dumbfounded and they are unable to come out of their shell even two days after election results. It is not sons rise but sons-eclipse.

Paritala Sriram, son of late Paritala Ravindra, the dreaded faction leader and JC Ashmith Reddy, son of JC Prabhakara Reddy and JC Pawan Reddy, son of JC Diwakar Reddy had jumped into electoral politics assured of a win due to their fathers' tall leadership in their constituencies for decades.

Senior JC Brothers Diwakar and Prabhakar offered to step down and retire from active politics and before that happened, they assured Naidu about their sons-rise. Their gift to the people and party will be new generation leaders, who would infuse dynamism into politics.

While their defeat itself is not able to be digested, what is shocking is Pawan Reddy losing by some 1.3 lakh votes and Ashmith Reddy with a margin of 7,500 votes and Paritala Sriram losing by a margin of 25,000 odd votes.

Before counting of votes, Diwakar Reddy while speaking to reporters made a statement that chief minister Naidu had implemented something like 125 welfare and development schemes and the last bonanza was 'Pasupu Kumkuma' to the people and if Naidu still loses the election then it should be construed that 'People are no longer trust-worthy'.

However, the tragedy was no leader could sense the impending avalanche that was to make a windfall over them nor could they read the writing on the wall.