Bayyaram steel plant high on Maloth Kavitha's agenda

Mahabubabad: The young TRS candidate for Mahabubabad Parliament constituency Maloth Kavitha, born to six-time MLA and former Minister DS Redya Naik, is no political novice and has all the grit to take on senior Congress leader and former Union minister Porika Balram Naik of the Congress and Jatoth Hussain Naik of the BJP. In a chit-chat with The Hans India, she shared details of her electioneering, strategy, agenda and expectations.

THI: Heading into April 11 poll, how did you find yourself in the constituency?

Kavitha: Pretty comfortable. Thanks to the Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who introduced a slew of welfare and developmental programmes in the last five years. The landslide victory in recent Assembly elections reflects that people reposed their faith in KCR once again.

This apart, people in Dornakal, Mahabubabad and Yellandu segments, part of Mahabubabad Parliamentary constituency, treats me as their own. While my father Redya Naik represents Dornakal Assembly seat, I represented Mahabubabad in the past. With my in-laws belonging to Yellandu, people in that segment also owning me. Although I lost 2014 election, I lived in Manukota (original name of Mahabubabad) and continued my proximity with the locals helping them.

THI: What about the other segments?

Kavitha: Peddi Sudarshan Reddy, Narsampet MLA, promised me to give me at least 50,000 majority from his segment. With Pinapaka MLA Rega Kantha Rao now joined TRS, we are expecting no less 50,000 majority there.

Even though Congress' Seethakka alias Danasari Anasuya had defeated TRS' Azmeera Chandulal from Mulugu, we are confident of gaining upper hand in that segment. Due to lack of coordination, TRS lost Bhadrachalam seat to Podem Veeraiah. Now we are setting it right.

THI: What is your agenda if you are elected to Lok Sabha?

Kavitha: Achieving Bayyaram steel plant, which is expected to give thousands of jobs to local tribes, and national status to Sammakka Saralamma tribal fair are high on my agenda. Bayyaram steel plant has somewhat become a sentiment among the locals.

THI: What about your opponents, especially the Congress and BJP?

Kavitha: Congress' Porika Balram Naik has done nothing for Mahabubabad during his tenure. He lost people's credibility and it reflected in his defeat from Mahabubabad Assembly seat in recent elections. There is not much to talk about BJP candidate Jatoth Hussain Naik.

THI: Tell us about the support you get from your family?

Kavitha: My husband Bhadru Maloth, Director (Sugar) & Commissioner (Cane), is very supportive and takes care of me. I am fortunate to have a father like Redya Naik, who is my guru and everything. My brothers – Ravichandra and Rajendra Prasad – exceptionally support me unconditionally. Last but not least, my childhood friend K Haritha, who always stood by my side encouraging and infusing confidence in me.

THI: Finally, how do you feel contesting Mahabubabad Lok Sabha?

Kavitha: If Redya Naik had given me the birth, it's KCR, who is giving rebirth politically. We are mobilising at least 1.5 lakh crowd for KCR's meeting in Mahabubabad on April 4. How extensively one may campaign, it's nothing before KCR's meeting. Such is his popularity.