Purandeswari chances brighten after Modi's meet

RAJAMPET (KADAPA): Working in his field at Mulakalacheruvu with other villagers, young Satish stands as an odd man out. While all others are illiterate and elderly, Satish is a graduate and is searching for a job.

He is a first-time voter who has pinned his hopes on a government that can provide him a job. Ask him whom he will vote for, and pat comes the answer: 'Every one is promising development and giving assurances. But we will vote for the BJP whose prime ministerial candidate Modi stands head and shoulders above the others when it comes to development.'

Satish, a pass out of Madanapalle BT College, also makes it a point that most of the youth are thinking like him. But, just a few feet away, a group of women working in the fields have a different view.

'There is no second opinion about whom to vote for. We were benefited by Rajanna (late YS Rajasekhara Reddy) and we will vote for his son's party,' said a woman farm hand as others joined her.

The two conflicting opinions largely reflect the mood of the electorate in the Rajampet Lok Sabha constituency which is witnessing a keen fight between a seasoned politician and former Union minister Daggubati Purandeswari and a young politician Peddireddy Mithun Reddy, son of Punganur MLA and former minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy who has a good clout in Chittoor.

In the initial stages of electioneering, no one had given a second look at Rajampet which is spread across two important Rayalaseema districts ' Chittoor and Kadapa.

Everyone thought that it would be a one-sided affair but now, with just a couple of days to go for the polling day, the odds have changed. Now a keen fight is on cards with all the parties taking the election as a matter of prestige.

Political pundits and even BJP leaders have said that Rajampet is a tough turf and Purandeswari is fighting a losing battle. She went to the people introducing herself as a daughter of the late NT Rama Rao. Describing herself as the adopted daughter of Rayalaseema, she chanted development slogan and sought votes.

The visit by BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan has changed the equations overnight. Purandeswari now stands tall on her battle ground and is giving a tough fight to YSRC which has a strong base in the seven Assembly segments of the Lok Sabha constituency.

'Pawan anna might not be contesting but we will vote for whoever he supports. We have formed small teams of 25-30 members in some mandals and are campaigning seeking votes for the BJP,' said G Ravi Kiran of Madanapalle. He was thrilled to see his favourite star, Modi himself and Naidu from close quarters at Modi's Madanapalle meeting.

Small groups of youngsters sporting Pawanism T-shirts and holding Jana Sena flags can be seen at the mandal headquarters. It is Pawan's speeches which are attracting these youngsters.

Mithun Reddy, on the other hand, is riding high on Jagan factor. Mithun is focusing on the schemes that would be implemented if Jagan comes to power.

The YSRC is concentrating mainly on its strongholds like Punganur, Rayachoti, Rajampet and Railway Kodur. YSRC is also having an edge when it comes to Muslim votes. 'She (Purandeswari) is the right person in a wrong party. We would have supported her as NTR's daughter but not as BJP's candidate,' said Asif, a shop-keeper.

Rajampet, Rayachoti, Railway Kodur (Kadapa district) and Piler and Madanapalle (Chittoor district) have a large chunk of minority votes and YSRC is banking on them.

If the BJP is riding on Modi charisma and Pawanism, they have also got a secret friend in N Kiran Reddy. The former chief minister is likely to play spoilsport for the YSRC. Sources said he is likely to support the BJP to outwit Ramachandra Reddy.