TDP cadre in dilemma in Kurupam

Kurupam (Vizianagaram): The decision taken by the election commission has pushed the Telugu Desam Party cadre into dilemma in Kurupam (ST) constituency. Now, the mandal and village-level workers of party are not showing much interest to go into villages and meet the public, seeking their support.

The TDP has issued ticket to Janardhana Thatraj Veera Vara Thodramal from this ST constituency to contest but the election commission has rejected his nomination papers as the court previously dismissed his caste certificate. Thatraj, a close relative of senior leader S Vijayaramaraju, had been worked as MLA between 2009-14 on behalf of Congress party and faced court cases over the genuity of his caste.

But N Jayaraj, a BJP candidate, has objected to nomination papers of Thatraj and stated that the caste certificate submitted by Thatraj was invalid and appealed the election commission to disqualify him. After consultation with legal experts and others, the election commission has rejected his nomination papers.

Now, the TDP is fielding N Narasimha Priya Thatraj, sister of Vijayaramaraju as the alternative candidate from this constituency, who worked as municipal chairperson of Parvathipuram. However, she was now inactive in politics and completely confined to home. With the rapid changes taking place in this constituency, the rank and file were in dilemma.

The cadre of TDP is completely disappointed and it seems that they have lost the hopes on win and stepping back to participate in campaign actively. A close and henchmen of Vijayarama Raju from G.L.Puram Mandal stated 'we have been with Vijayaramaraju for the past three decades. But this time we are not much confident over the elections and we are not interested to compete in the fray.

We are totally demoralized, disappointed. The god will decide the fate of our party here.'he said.

On the other hand, P Pushpa Srivani, sitting MLA of YSRCP, is actively participating in campaign. She is visiting every village with her supporters and convincing the public and tribals that she would do justice to every common man in the constituency.

MPTC of Thotapalli B Sankara Rao and follower of YSRCP said, "We are now more confident over our victory and working hard to get huge majority. The courts and elections commission worked on behalf of real tribes and sacked the nomination of Janarthan Thatraj. Now, the real tribes would support us."