Andhra Pradesh BJP chief Somu Veerraju upbeat over Tirupati Lok Sabha byelections

Tirupati: Exuding confidence on BJP-Jana Sena alliance victory in Tirupati Lok Sabha byelections, the saffron party state chief Somu Veerraju said that the alliance Jaithra Yatra (victory march) in the state will begin from Tirupati.

Speaking to media after the party Tirupati Parliament constituency activists' meeting held here on Tuesday, the state BJP chief said that the party will take the 'phenomenal development' achieved with the liberal financial aid from the Centre, including through its various departments and funding institutions like NABARD, particularly in infrastructure growth in a big way and establishment of various national institutions for medical and education in the state, to the people. This was to counter the propaganda by both the regional parties YSRCP and TDP which are trying to downplay the centre's financial assistance to the state development.

Many long pending projects like Srikalahasthi-Nadikudi Railway which was much beneficial to boost up development was taken up while in many cities basic facilities, including water supply, sanitation etc., were improved substantially with the centre sponsored schemes he said declaring that 'development' will be the mantra party in the byelection..

In this connection, Veerraju expressed his dissatisfaction at the media and said that the AP media is not focusing on the remarkable development the state had achieved with the support of the Centre and is only giving much priority to the feud between the two regional parties, in the process eclipsing the BJP government's good deeds. Tirupati, the world famous pilgrim centre is the major beneficiary of the Central schemes, including Rs 2,000 crore Smart City project, multi-crore railway station development and international airport while the Sri City SEZ also made rapid strides in tune with 'Make in India' concept, he said adding that the BJP alliance would do its best in explaining to the people on the Centre's exemplary support to the state for its development to see the party win the byelection with its development mantra. He was also critical of TTD for not providing adequate allocation for Dharma Pracharam, though it is getting good revenue through the sale of darshan tickets and donation-linked Srivani break darshan which alone fetching Rs 70 crore to TTD.

The meeting was held as a preparatory exercise for the byelection and also receiving of applications from the aspiring candidates for contesting the election.

Party Rajya Sabha member G V L Narasimha Rao and AP co-incharge Sunil Deodhar attended the meet.