Citing no development, Bhadradri voters shun campaign by parties

Bhadrachalam: The voters of the temple town are not showing any interest in the campaigning by contestants as they feel let down by all political parties. They are irked with national parties like Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party and regional parties like Telangana Rashtra Samithi and others.

With such an insipid response from the voters, the political parties are struggling hard to attract the voters.

It may be mentioned here that the people of temple are angry with Congress as the grand old party, as part of AP Reorganisation Act, bifurcated the Bhadrachalam division into pieces. Except the temple town, the remaining mandals of Bhadrachalam rural, Kunavaram, Chintoor, VR Puram and five panchayats were merged with Andhra Pradesh. Soon, the development of the Bhadrachalam stopped after the bifurcation and the temple lands also went to Andhra Pradesh.

Coming to BJP, the people of the temple town expected that the saffron party would develop Bhadrachalam as it was giving importance to Lord Rama temples. They also expected extension of rail line from Pandurangapuram to Sarapaka that would cost only Rs 200 crore. However, much to their disappointment, the BJP, in its five-year rule, has neither developed Bhadrachalam nor sanctioned the desired rail line.

The people are also vexed with TRS. After 2014 elections, the people of the temple town expressed happiness when the State government mentioned of allocating the budget of Rs 100 crore for the development of the temple town. However, the State has not released a single paisa yet much to the disappointment of the town people.

TV Ramana, a senior citizen from Bhadrachalam said, "The national parties like Congress and BJP and regional party, TRS, have been unfair towards Bhadrachalam when comes to developing it. Why the people should support them?

He said the people would be interested only when the political parties and the governments keep the promises they make. "Even the Chief Minister has not been attending Srirama Navami festival for the last three years. It is part of the tradition for the CM to attend the festival every year. Why should people support them when they keep the development of the temple town on a backburner?" he asked.