Village fests a dais for politicos to woo public

Vizianagaram: Village festivals that attract thousands of devotees are now centres of attraction for politicos, who woo voters. These occasions are being thronged by leaders from various political parties to spread their message. Now, every leader from village-level to constituency-level are participating in the festivals to be in good books of people, and they donate money and sponsor some programmes.

Generally, after Ugadi, every village organise their local village deity (Grama Devata) festival before commencement of kharif agricultural works. The farmer community offer prayers to Goddess to bless them with health and wealth during the year and beg her to shower bountiful rains for bumper harvest. 

Goddess is one, but called with different names like Bangaramma, Mutyalamma, Nukalamma, Polamma, Modakondamma, Pydithalli and Kothamma. The public invite their friends, relatives local leaders to these festivals and organise lunch and dinner. Organising these festivals became prestigious issue for the locals at the same time, this is the right time for the politicos to prove themselves and to woo the public.  

Scions of Bobbili Samsthanam RVSK Ranga Rao, Minister for Mines and Geology, and his brother Swetha Kumar Ranga Rao participated in Daadi Talli festival held here recently and offered donations. Dr Swathi Rani, Zilla Parishad Chairperson, participated in Kothamma Talli festival held at Salur recently.

Actually, she is expecting TDP ticket from Salur constituency from TDP and she is facing competition from RP Bhanj Dev, a former MLA. So, this time, she participated actively and attracted the attention of public and even contributed money to that event. 

Vizianagaram MP P Ashok Gajapathiraju and his family members take active part in Pydithalli Sirimanu Utsavam, which will be held in October. Some MPPs and sarpanches feel that these festivals are best platform for them to draw public attention. 

Swetha Kumar Ranga Rao said: “We will take active part in local festivals as we can meet thousands of people there. Generally, we donate something for these festivals”.  M Sridhar, ZPTC of Gajapathinagaram, stated that they feel happy to participate in the festivals. I attend local festivals in Gajapathinagaram and Bondapalli mandals. Being a politician, we should participate in those festivals to meet people”. 

By Koppara Gandhi