CM Jagan Woos Muslims, Says He Firmly Backs 4 Per Cent Reservations for Them

Vijayawada: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy as president of the YSR Congress is concentrating his attention on minority votes in 62 assembly constituencies where they are the deciding factor in the present assembly and LS polls in the state. These constituencies, out of the total 175, have the highest and moderate voting percentages supporting 4 per cent Muslim reservations. Jagan Reddy pushed Telugu Desam chief Nara Chandrababu into a quandary by daring the TD chief to raise the Muslim reservation issue in front of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the three-party alliances election meetings in AP. Jagan Reddy said, On one hand, Chandrababu Naidu joined hands with the BJP, which promised to remove the 4 per cent reservation for Muslims. Conversely, in an attempt to secure votes from the minority community, Naidu resorts to a deceitful act of false affection, further betraying Muslims. I boldly assert this today: The 4 per cent reservation for Muslims must remain intact. This is my firm stance! Will Chandrababu dare to voice this in front of Modi? Will he disassociate himself from the NDA? What is the purpose of this alliance, Chandrababu? Why the pretence of affection? Why align with the NDA, which opposes Muslim reservation, while perpetuating such deceit in your gatherings? Jagan Reddy, in a bid to get the support of minorities, further asserted, The 4 per cent reservation given to minority brothers is not given based on religion. These reservations are not applied to upper castes among the Muslims. This 4 per cent reservation is on a backward class basis. Im questioning the BJP and other opposition parties on this. All religions have BCs and OCs, these are reservations given on a backward class basis, subject to the provisions of the Constitution. Is it moral to play politics on such reservations and mess with their lives? He added, We will support minorities on issues like 4 per cent reservation, NRC, CAA, and any such minority-related issue, Minority sentiments will be secured and supported by Jagan and his party. Political analysts say that the bold statement of Jagan Reddy, of the YSRC protecting the minorities, will turn as lethal as the BJPs firmness on the cancellation of Muslim reservations. If the TD supports it, then this would be a big disadvantage to Naidu in the present elections, they aver. They said the YSRC has already started a negative campaign against Naidu and TD, which would be intensified in the next couple of days. This posed a threat to TD and is an advantage to YSRC, as it had allocated 7 assembly seats to minorities out of 175. The Muslim voters are the deciding factor in Kadapa, Kurnool, Rajampeta, Nandyala, Guntur East, Kadiri, Nellore, Srisailam, Hindupur, Proddatur, Pileru, Anantapur, Adoni, Allagadda, Nandikokuru, Madanapalli, Guntakal, Punganur, Vijayawada West, Tadikonda, Chilakaluripet, Panyam, Palamaneru, Banaganapally, Narasaraopeta, Tirupati, Nellore (Rural), Guntur (West), Rajampet, Gurzala, Kodumuru, Ponnur, Sattenapalli, Atmakuru, Emiganuru, Kamalapuram. Giddalur, Penamalur, Pedakurapadu, Pulivendula, Tamballapally, Dhone, Maidukuru, Vijayawada Central, Nandigama, Kovvur, Mangalagiri, Jammalamadugu, Ongole, Machilipatnam, Eluru, Parchur, Visakhapatnam, Penukonda, Rayadurgam, Chandragiri, Dharmavaram, Udayagiri, Rayachoti, Gannavaram and Gudivada assembly segments. The analysts say that the Muslim minorities carry at least 25,000 to one lakh voted in these sixty assembly constituencies. Hence, Jagan Reddy is wooing these minorities to sweep the elections with the help of 4 per cent Muslim reservations in the present elections. Kurnool MLA Hafiz Khan said Jagan Reddy will definitely protect the 4 per cent reservation for Muslims and he will oppose laws like NRC and CAA. Muslims will not allow cancellation of the 4 per cent reservations at any cost and this issue will play an important role in the elections.

Pubs Hiring Women to Entice Customers With Sexual Overtones

Hyderabad: Some pubs in the city have been adopting devious means to increase their collections. They are hiring women who entice male customers with obscene gestures and sexual overtones. These establishments tap women who are unemployed and those staying in hostels. On being recruited, they are trained by the management on methods to trap customers like performing obscene dances or consuming liquor with the customer in order to maximise their bills, police sources said. In this connection, a west zone task force team with Banjara Hills police raided After 9 Pub in the limits of Banjara Hills police station late on Saturday night and arrested over 171 persons, including two managers, a DJ operator, five bouncers, and 32 women who were enticing customers with indecent performances at the behest of the management, said S. Rashmi Perumal, DCP (task force) in a press release here on Sunday. The management of the bar sexually objectified women, which is immoral and unethical, she said. Satish, the owner of After 9 Pub, is reportedly in Visakhapatnam and he has been served a notice. Recently, a north zone task force team raided Urvasi Bar and Restaurant at Begumpet, where women were engaged for similar purposes. Police sources disclosed that the excise and prohibition wing and GHMC have been urged to cancel licences of establishments found using women in an immoral way to boost their revenues and profits. Rashmi cautioned the management of pubs and bars in the twin cities to ensure that their premises are run legally. We will be conducting surprise raids on pubs and taking appropriate action. We will depute our teams in plain dress and keep a tab on the activities of pub managements, inspector Raghavendra said.

Candidates with Criminal Cases in Visakhapatnam Area

Visakhapatnam: Industries minister Gudivada Amarnath, candidate of the YSRC party from Gajuwaka assembly constituency, has the highest number of six criminal cases against him, according to reports with the Election Commission. This is in stark contrast to his TD opponent Palla Srinivas Rao, apart from YSRC Anakapalli nominee Malasala Bharat, and YSRC candidate K.K. Raju and BJPs P. Vishnu Kumar Raju from Vizag North, who have no cases against them. In Bheemli assembly constituency, YSRC's Muttamsetti Srinivas Rao, popular as Avanti Srinivas, has one criminal case against him, while his TD rival Ganta Srinivas is facing three criminal cases. Moving to Visakhapatnam East, YSRC's M.V.V. Satyanarayana and TD's Velagapudi Rama Krishna have one criminal case each against them. In Visakhapatnam West, YSRC's Adari Anand has one criminal case, while his TD rival P.V.G.R. Naidu (Gana Babu) has a clean record. In Visakhapatnam South, YSRC's Vasupalli Ganesh Kumar and Jana Sena candidate Vamsi Krishna Yadav have three cases each lodged against them. Among rich candidates, M.V.V. Satyanarayana from YSRC tops the list in Visakhapatnam district with total assets of Rs 203 crore. He is followed by Adari Anand with Rs 41 crore, Vasupalli Ganesh Kumar and Vishnu Kumar Raju with Rs 32 crore each, Palla Srinivas Rao Rs 28 crores, Ganta Srinivas Rao Rs 25 crore, Avanti Srinivas Rs 23 crore, Velagapudi Rama Krishna Rs 21 crore, K.K. Raju Rs 15 crore, Vamsi Krishna Yadav Rs 7 crore, Konathala Rama Krishna Rs 1 crore and Malasala Bharat Kumar with Rs 5 lakh.

Stage Set for Fierce Contest in Chodavaram, Elamanchili Seats

Visakhapatnam: Chodavaram and Elamanchili constituencies, where Telugu Desam Party has traditionally held sway, are set to witness a fiercely contested electoral battle in the upcoming May 13 elections, with YSRC posing a formidable challenge. In Chodavaram, a stronghold of the TD for many years, the contest is between YSRC's Karanam Dharmasri and TDP's K.S.N.S. Raju for the fourth time. The Chodavaram fight dates back to 2004, when the rivalry between Dharmasri and Raju started. Raju, representing the TD, had a firm grip on the constituency from 2004 to 2014, defeating Dharmasri intermittently. However, Dharmasri's persistence and YSRC's rising influence posed a formidable challenge to Raju's supremacy. In 2019, Dharmasri triumphed over Raju, marking a significant shift in the political landscape. Despite TD's historical dominance, Dharmasri managed to clinch victory with a margin of 27,637 votes. Similarly, in Elamanchili constituency, YSRC's U.V. Ramana Murthy Raju (Kannababu) is facing alliance party's Sundarapu Vijaya Kumar of Jana Sena. Despite TDP's reign from 1983 to 1999 and a brief return in 2014, Ramana Murthy of YSRC has secured victory three times in the past, including in 2019 elections.

Traffic curbs imposed in view of Prime Ministers meeting in Anakapalli district on May 6

Boulder fall near Sivalingapuram disrupts traffic in K-K line for about three-and-a-half hours

Ganta Srinivasa Rao condemns alleged attack on C.M. Rameshs convoy at Anakapalli

Voters Seeking Transport to Villages Ride Horses

Visakhapatnam: As a mark of unique protest, voters of several hilltop villages, including Madrebu, Tuniseebu, Jeenapadu and Dayethi of Anantagiri mandal in Alluri Seetharama Raju district, rode horses for four kilometres on Sunday seeking transport facilities to their hamlets. PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups) Adivasi Girijana Sangham organised the protest, wherein the riders wore headgear decorated with bi-lobed Bauhinia vahlii leaves while riding their horses. The protesters warned that they would boycott voting on May 13 unless the government addresses their transportation needs. There are 45 PVTG Kundu tribal families residing in Peddakota and Madrebu hilltop villages with 70 votes. As the villages have no roads, voters travel 30 kilometres on horseback to the polling booth in Peddakota panchayat to cast their votes. Likewise, PVTG voters of road-less Dayerthi village ride horses for about 30 kilometres to the Jeenabadu panchayat polling booth. Same is the case with tribal voters who travel 18 kilometres on horses to Velamamidi polling booth. For us, horses are cargo buses to transport agricultural produce to local markets for sale. Additionally, we use horses as ambulances to take patients or full-term pregnant women to health centres, said Kondambala Narsing Rao, secretary of girijana sangham. We have organised this protest as the government seems to have turned a blind eye to our demand for roads and transport facilities to our villages, said Kondatamri Dasu, a resident of one of the hilltop villages.

Andhra Pradesh: Sec 144 imposed in Dy CMs village Taruva

Visakhapatnam: The Anakapalli district police has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 in Taruva, the home village of deputy chief minister Budi Mutyala Naidu, who is candidate for Anakapalli Lok Sabha. The ban on assembly in public places will remain in force till Monday evening. Circle inspector of K Kotapadu, Swami Naidu, said a police picket has been set up in the village with eight members of the police force to prevent any incident. We are allowing people to do their normal work but would not allow crowding in the streets, the CI said. He said three cases have been registered. One case was registered against the use of a drone without permission. Another case against the brother-in-law of Budi Mutyala Naidu Ch Gangadhar and his three friends for violence. A third case was registered against Budi Mutyala Naidu for his alleged attack on Gangadhar and his friends. The case against Mutyala Naidu was registered on the basis of a complaint given by BJP leader and MP candidate for Anakapalli, CM Ramesh. We have not made any arrests so far. We are investigating the case in detail. Some arrests are likely, the CI said. Condemning the incident, Budi Ravi Kumar, the Independent candidate contesting for Madugula constituency and son of Budi Mutyala Naidu, said the district police failed to give him protection despite writing letters to the district election officer and returning officer. Today, they gave me a gunman but I still fear attacks on me, Ravi Kumar told this correspondent. He said his father Mutyala Naidu engineered the attack on him on Saturday afternoon out of a fear that he would lose the polls. Visakhapatnam district BJP president Rabindra Reddy condemned the attack on his party worker Gangadhar and said that the party might win the sympathy of the people. He said the incident was brought to the notice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other central party leaders.

Triple Murder Shock in Madhya Pradesh: Shahnawaz Khan Allegedly Kills Sister-in-law and Nieces

Rewa: A shocking case of triple murder surfaced on May 4th (Saturday) in the Govindgarh police station area of Rewa district, Madhya Pradesh. Shahnawaz Khan is accused of killing his 25-year-old sister-in-law Hasina Khan and her two nieces, 2-year-old Alia and 3-year-old Anabiya. After committing the murders, Shahnawaz dumped the bodies of the children in a nearby pond. Upon receiving information about the crime, a police team led by the Superintendent of Police (SP) rushed to the spot and initiated a search for the bodies with the assistance of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local divers. The accused has been arrested and is currently under interrogation. The triple murder, which occurred in ward number three near Idgah, has sparked widespread concern. The deceased woman's husband resides and works in Visakhapatnam, while she stayed with her in-laws. The accused reportedly had a minor altercation with his sister-in-law, resulting in him striking her with a steel rod and then stabbing her with a knife. When her daughters witnessed the murder, he proceeded to attack them to cover up his crime. Shahnawaz left Hasinas body, covered in blood, in the house, while he stuffed the bodies of his nieces into a sack and disposed of them in the pond. The rest of the family members were not present at home during the murders, as they had gone to Jabalpur (Gurh as per some reports) to attend a wedding ceremony. Seizing the opportunity, Shahnawaz committed the heinous act. The police team, accompanied by Superintendent of Police (SP) Vivek Singh and Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Anil Sonkar, recovered the bodies and initiated their investigation. The authorities continued to search the pond for the remains of the two girls. According to Anil Sonkar, Shahnawaz and his sister-in-law Hasina had a fight late on Saturday night. Enraged, he strangled her to death after hitting her head with a steel rod. Hasina Khan lived with her children, mother-in-law, and two brother-in-laws in ward number 3 of Govindgarh town, while her husband is employed outside. Hasinas elder brother-in-law had gone to Jabalpur for a wedding with her mother, and the younger brother-in-law Shahnawaz Khan was at home. There was a dispute between the brother-in-law and the sister-in-law on Saturday evening. The brother-in-law used a steel rod to hit Hasina in the head during this altercation. He then used a knife to cut her throat, said Sonkar. The police added, Hasinas two daughters, who were present, started crying when they saw what had happened. Subsequently, the perpetrator also murdered them and disposed of their corpses in the pond. He is being questioned by police after being brought into custody. Divers are assisting the police team in their hunt for the girls bodies. The conflict between the brother-in-law and the sister-in-law is being ascertained. Iqbal Ansari, Once Key Proponent of Babri Masjid, Supports PM Modi's Leadership NCB Busts Interstate Drug Syndicate in Maharashtra, Over 160 kg of Cough Syrup and 32,000 Tablets Seized Congress MLA Nirmala Sapre Joins BJP Ahead of Lok Sabha Elections

CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat criticises TDP for joining hands with BJP in Andhra Pradesh

There seems to be a conspiracy to sabotage the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant by preventing supply of coking coal, she says

CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat accuses Prime Minister Narendra Modi of hate speech and violating rules to win third term

The genesis of the ethnic conflict in Manipur is the handing over of resource-rich tribal land to private companies, she says

10 new wild animals will come to Van Vihar

Will be brought from Vizag Zoo in Visakhapatnam Chronicle Reporter, Bhopal Now, people will also get to see wild cats and wild dogs in Van Vihar of the capital Bhopal. Wild cats, wild dogs and 10 wolves will be brought to Van Vihar from Vizag Zoo Visakhapatnam under animal exchange. In exchange for these animals,... The post 10 new wild animals will come to Van Vihar first appeared on Central India's Premier English Daily .

Alleged drone incident sparks conflict between Anakapalle MP candidates

VISAKHAPATNAM: Tension prevailed in Taruva village of Devarapalli mandal in Anakapalle district, when supporters of YSRC Lok Sabha candidate and Deputy Chief Minister Budi Mutyala Naidu clashed with those of the TDP-JSP-BJP alliance candidate CM Ramesh on Saturday. The conflict arose when alleged drone operations by the latters supporters to hoist BJP flags triggered objections from Mutyala Naidus backers. The dispute centred around allegations of unauthorised drone operations, with Mutyala Naidu claiming surveillance was aimed at him while BJP workers said their actions were part of their campaign. The situation escalated when YSRC workers reportedly smashed the drone and assaulted BJP workers. Following the altercation, Mutyala Naidu himself reportedly got involved, purportedly assaulting his brother-in-law (first wifes younger brother) Ch Gangadhar, a local BJP leader, who was among those operating the drone. Gangadhar and his associates lodged a complaint at the Devarapalli police station, claiming they were detained by the police without any action taken against their assailants. CM Ramesh, on the other hand, demanded action against the attackers and staged a sit-in protest at the police station. Despite police advisories against visiting Taruva, Ramesh attempted to console Gangadhar, only to be stopped on the outskirts of the village. According to the police, both groups were dispersed, with Ramesh being escorted back to Anakapalle town. Multiple cases have been registered in connection with the incident.

Ensure smooth conduct of polls: CEO Mukesh Kumar Meena

VISAKHAPATNAM: Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Mukesh Kumar Meena urged the district officials to ensure the smooth conduct of elections through coordinated efforts and efficient discharge of duties. During his visit to Visakhapatnam on Saturday, the CEO directed the officials to take strong measures to ensure peaceful conduct of elections. Meena began his one-day tour by inspecting the strong rooms and material distribution centres at Andhra University Engineering College. He closely observed the commissioning process of electronic voting machines (EVMs) along with District Collector A Mallikarjuna, Joint Collector K Mayur Ashok, and ADC KS Viswanathan. The CEO enquired about the performance of the ballot unit, control unit, and VVPAT, as well as the training provided to polling officers (POs) and assistant polling officers (APOs) on EVM usage. He scrutinised the process of uploading names and symbols, emphasising the importance of meticulous examination. He visited the Postal Ballot Facilitation Centre, where he advised the district officials to take concrete steps to enable employees to vote.

Candidates at loggerheads over parties stand on Visakhapatnam Steel Plant

While the YSRCP nominee demands Prime Minister Narendra Modis clear statement at the May 6 election campaign in Anakapalli, the TDP candidate demands Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddys position on it

Candidates at loggerheads over parties stand on Visakhapatnam Steel Plant - The Hindu

Candidates at loggerheads over parties stand on Visakhapatnam Steel Plant The Hindu

Budi, CM Ramesh followers come close to a clash

Visakhapatnam: Two groups of people one led by Deputy Chief Minister Budi Mutyala Naidu and the other by BJPs C.M. Ramesh came close to a clash in Taruva village under Madugula mandal in Anakapalli district on Saturday afternoon. Both these leaders are contesting from the Anakapalli Lok Sabha constituency. Trouble began when BJP workers led by Mutyala Naidus brother-in-law Gangadhar, a local BJP leader, took videos of their party flags using a drone in several villages, including Taruva, as a part of their campaign. A group of YSRC workers objected to the flying of the drone and smashed the equipment. They also attacked Gangadhar and three BJP workers who used the drone. Budi Mutyala Naidu, who came to the spot, allegedly hit his brother-in-law with chappals when questioned about the attack. Following this, C.M. Ramesh went to Devarapalli police station and staged a dharna, demanding action against the attackers led by Mutyala Naidu. Later, Ramesh left for Taruva to meet Gangadhar. Police stopped him on the outskirts of the village. Tension built up as Mutyala Naidu was present in the village. YSRC workers smashed a car belonging to Ramesh and hurled abuses at BJP leaders. Around this time, a large number of police personnel led by a DSP reached the village to take stock of the situation. Mutyala Naidu told reporters that the opposition is planning to attack him by keeping a watch on him through drone cameras. Talking to reporters, CM Ramesh came down heavily on police for not deploying enough personnel in the village and obstructing him from visiting Gangadhar. Anakapalli SP K.V. Muralikrishna said they had prevented a major clash in Taruva involving the followers of Deputy Chief Minister Mutyala Naidu and his opponent C.M. Ramesh. Both the groups, each comprising 200 to 300 workers, entered into a standoff. But we dispersed them, the SP said. He did not name persons against whom cases will be booked.

Transgender contesting from Kurupam for first time

VISAKHAPATNAM : Geetha Rani, a transgender person from Jatapu tribe, is contesting the forthcoming assembly elections from the Kurupam constituency in the combined Vizianagaram district. Geetha believes that the major political parties in the area, TD, YSRC and CPM, have not done enough to address the issues that Kurupam has been facing since generations. Kurupam constituency is home to hilltop villages that lack road facilities. Tribal people, who live in these villages, still carry their sick inmates or pregnant women in dolis a makeshift bed for hours before the patient can reach a hospital. Geetha says many MLAs have promised to solve this issue during their election campaigns. They do not bother once they win. Adivasi living in these villages also do not have access to drinking water. Geetha says she is entering politics and contesting as an independent candidate from Kurupam for many reasons, which have deeply affected her. She says there are around 500 transgender people in the area. They face an identity crisis and other challenges, including lack of employment opportunities. To deal with them, I founded an organisation named 'Giri Nestham', Geetha stated. She has developed robust connections with people of Kurupam through this organisation. She has executed service programmes in every village where transgender live. They have been trained in sewing. Those not interested in sewing have been encouraged to rear sheep. These initiatives have enabled transgender in Kurupam to become self-reliant, she remarked. Geetha says when she announced her candidacy, people from all walks of life supported her. Mainstream YSRC, TD and CPM are useless. Problems in Kurupam have remained as they are. I will solve the problem in the constituency I have been living in, Geetha remarked.

Anakapalli LS Emerges as Political Hotspot Ahead of 2024 Elections

VISHAKHAPATNAM: The Anakapalli Lok Sabha constituency in Andhra Pradesh has transformed into a cauldron of political fervor as the 2024 elections process is currently under way. With prominent leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Road Transport Nitin Gadkari actively campaigning for their respective candidates, the political landscape is seeing hectic activity. Nitin Gadkari has already rallied supporters in Anakapalli, setting the stage for further political showdowns. Notable figures like Pawan Kalyan, Chandrababu Naidu and YS Jagan Mohan Reddy have also thrown their weight behind their candidates, adding to the intensity of the electoral battle. The allure of the elections has attracted celebrities like Jabardasth actors and heroine Khushbu, who are lending their support to CM Ramesh, amplifying the excitement surrounding the constituency. This parliamentary constituency, comprising seven assembly segments, has had a significant voter turnout and has historically been a battleground between the Congress, TD and YSRC. In the 2019 elections, Beesetti Venkata Satyavathi from the YSRC won the parliamentary seat with a winning margin of 7.2 per cent over Adari Anand Kumar from the TD. The YSRC secured 47.33 per cent of the vote share, while the TD garnered 40.13 per cent. For the present 2024 elections, the alliance has fielded BJPs Chintakunta Munuswamy Ramesh, who has been a prominent figure in the state's political landscape. Ramesh, who won his second consecutive Rajya Sabha term in 2018, filed his nomination amid much fanfare and in the presence of Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The ruling YSRC has chosen Budi Mutyala Naidu as its candidate. Naidu is the current MLA of Madugula constituency, he having won the 2019 elections for the YSRC with 78,830 votes against the TD leader Gavireddy Ramanaidu. He had begun his political journey with the Congress Party, but later aligned with the YSRC and is serving as MLA in Madugula, Visakhapatnam from 2014. Additionally, for the first time, local and non-local concerns have surfaced in the constituency. According to sources, there's speculation that leveraging this non-local issue could potentially bolster Budi's chances. The constituency has historically been a battleground between the Congress, TD and YSRC, with the Congress winning it nine times, the TDP five times and the YSRC once -- since 1962.

Visakhapatnam Citizens Forum releases election manifesto

NETA NATTER | 2024 ELECTIONS, A TALE OF DONKEYS AND CROWS?

Crows in Telangana better watch out. TPCC president and Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy the other day declared that even if a crow from the BRS wants to land on a Congress wall, his party workers would shoot it down. His comments came while countering the BJP narrative that the Congress and the BRS were together and his allusion was to the old Telugu adage on personal rivalries and how crows from one house wont even land on the home of a rival. Swooping down on Revanths comments, BRS leader T. Harish Rao declared that the CM had nothing much to crow about after having admitted a slew of BRS leaders into his party, and even giving them tickets to contest the LS polls. What you allowed to land in your territory are eagles and kites. Be careful about them, was Harishs advice to Revanth. Now that they appear to have been done with birds, the Congress has launched a new campaign evoking donkeys with its Gadida Guddu campaign, playing again on how the BJP government at the Centre gave nothing to Telangana. Of course, donkeys dont lay eggs, and just as that has never happened, all that the BJP has given is a non-existent donkeys egg, is the Congress contention. With just about a week to go for the polls, it remains to be seen if anymore of Gods creatures will make it to the political shoot-outs now on in Telangana. CANDIDATE THREATENS VOTERS WITH EXPULSION In an electoral season that has seen its fair share of promises, parades, and pandemonium, Mekapati Rajagopal Reddy, YSRC candidate for the Udayagiri Assembly segment, has arguably taken campaigning to a new controversial high. At a recent campaign event in Mulapalle and Shakunalapalle villages, Rajagopal decided to spice things up by issuing a rather medieval edict: Vote for the cycle symbol and find yourself excommunicated from the village. Rajagopals approach to voter persuasion was immediately met with dismay and outrage from villagers, who expressed disbelief at being treated as serfs in their own land. Opposition leaders seized the opportunity, denouncing Reddys threats as an affront to the very foundations of democracy. REVANTH THE CRICKETER TO THE CONGRESS RESCUE Politics in some ways is like cricket. History is replete with last minute googlies from one party bowling the other out. The LS elections, Telangana state Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy appears to have decided, provide the perfect pitch for some hard hitting aimed at the BJP and the BRS. And with the ongoing IPL raising passions, to woo younger voters, Revanth has been talking about how the last Assembly polls were the semi-finals and the Lok Sabha polls the finals. The Congress trounced KCR in the semi-finals last December and will defeat Narendra Modi in the finals on May 13, is his pitch. The CM has also been bowling some beamers at the BRS and the BJP, comparing them with the Bangladesh and Pakistan cricket teams. The Congress defeated Bangladesh in the semi-finals and entered the finals where it will face Pakistan on May 13, indicating just how fierce the battle between the Congress and the BJP is, just like a cricket match between India and Pakistan. Not stopping there, he also says the LS polls are also a match between Telangana and Gujarat teams, adding the state team will duck out Modi and Amit Shah on May 13 and register a grand victory. TD, YSRC CONTINUE WITH THEIR PROMISES Once written manifestos are by no means a legal document with which people can hold political parties accountable, but that does not stop them from going at each other, waving the other sides manifesto and pointing out just how the promises made were not kept. Doing this has been AP Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy who has taken to showing to the public TDs 2014 manifesto, and reading out aloud every promise TD chief N. Chandrababu Naidu failed to fulfil. The promises by the TD then were impractical, and the ones now are impossible, goes Jagan. For the YSRC manifesto? Jagan says he fulfilled 99 per cent of promises in his partys 2019 manifesto and vows to come up with more welfare and development in the future. Whether the TD, or the YSRC, who the people believe in will all become clear soon enough. BRITISH VS ITALIANS THIS TIME AROUND Whats in a name? Clearly a lot when it comes to taking potshots at one another by political parties amidst the electioneering heat. In other times, too, as the renaming of the TRS as the BRS showed, it lost some of its sheen as the party that stands up for the state. That aside, the campaigning has shown that if left to themselves, leaders will play on acronyms of party names and try to reap political benefit as is being witnessed in Telangana. The other day, after Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy called the BJP British Janata Party, BJP state president and Union minister G. Kishan Reddy hit back calling the Indian National Congress, the Italian National Congress. And so it goes FROM KAPU TO REDDY IN ONE ELECTION? Senior Kapu leader Mudragada Padmanabham often makes puzzling statements, leaving those around him scratching their heads. The other day, he said if he cannot defeat Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan in the Assembly elections, he will change his name to Padmanabha Reddy leaving many from the Reddy community wondering what was up with the Kapu leader. However, some Kapus who expressed support to Pawan Kalyan, commented that Padmanabham can call himself whatever he wants, and issue meaningless challenges but cannot defeat the Jana Sena chief. ONLY RICH CAN CONTEST THESE DAYS: SRIBHARAT Can cash carry an election? Or rather, how rich should a candidate be to contest and have hopes of winning? The answer to this was provided, sort of, by M. Sribharat, the TDs MP candidate from Visakhapatnam, who also found himself in hot water after his remarks at a speech on Viksit Bharat that were made in the presence of Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, a poll ally. Addressing students, Bharat implied that one needs substantial financial resources to run for a Lok Sabha seat and cited Sitharamans absence from the electoral fray as an example. He remarked that he, unfortunately or fortunately, was contesting the 2024 elections because of this financial factor. The comments unfortunately for the man have not gone down well within his party. FUTURE UNCERTAIN THANKS TO POLITICAL MIGRATION Friends? Enemies? Frenemies? Leaders from the BJP, Congress and the BRS in the erstwhile unified Adilabad district are a confused lot these days what with migrations from one party to another by leaders and their followers leaving the long-timers in such parties wondering what their future or roles will be. Some leaders and former MLAs are clearly a frustrated lot with their political enemies joining their parties, while others are happy to see their enemies leave their political homes and go to another with little impact on their own prospects. All the migrants are wondering if they did the right thing as they are not receiving the kind of support they expected from the long-timers in the parties they joined recently. The latest such instance is that of former minister A. Indrakaran Reddy who joined the Congress after quitting the BRS, leaving Nirmal district Congress president K. Srihari Rao gnashing his teeth in frustration. HOT SUN PLAYS SPOILSPORT THIS ELECTION Step out into the open and the searing sun hits you. The heat from the previous day still hangs over the air like a heavy blanket. Campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls this summer is proving a challenge for political parties and their candidates, with the latter literally sweating it out every day. Public meetings are sought to be completed by 11 am, something that was not heard of in the past. Candidates from various parties in Nizamabad, setting their political differences aside, have urged the ECI to allow campaigning after the 10 pm deadline, and are keeping their fingers crossed hoping the ECI would hear their plea. Contributions from Pillalamarri Srinivas, Narender Pulloor, Balu Pulipaka, Laxmi Pranathi, Vadrevu Srinivas, Sampat G. Samritan, G. Ram Mohan, L. Venkat Ram Reddy, Avinash P. Subramanyam

Hyderabad: Railway police arrest 2 for transporting 34 kg ganja from Vizag

Hyderabad: The Government Railway Police (GRP) Secunderabad apprehended two persons who were transporting ganja from Visakhapatnam and seized 34 kilograms of dry ganja worth about Rs. 8.50 lakh. The accused Vikesh, 25, and Akash Kumar, 19, were transporting the dry ganja in two trolley suitcases and transporting it to Delhi by Rajdhani Express train via Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Ganja smugglers nabbed at Secunderabad

Hyderabad: Government Railway Police during surprise checks arrested two persons at the Secunderabad station for transporting 34 kg ganja worth Rs 8.4 lakh to New Delhi from Visakhapatnam. Shaik Saleema, superintendent of railway police, identified the accused as South Delhi residents Vikesh Roop Lal, 25, and Akash Kumar Thakur, 19.

Election 2024: Political Campaigns and Early Votes

Youngsters click a selfie with a towering replica of an EVM placed outside Shivaji Park in Visakhapatnam on Saturday, to raise public awareness for the impending general election. Youngsters click a selfie with a towering replica of an EVM placed outside Shivaji Park in Visakhapatnam on Saturday, to raise public awareness for the impending general election.

Its Jhansi vs Sribharat in high-profile Visakhapatnam

Its Jhansi vs Sribharat in high-profile Visakhapatnam Visakhapatnam: A direct close fight is on the cards between two highly-educated leaders from prominent political families in the high-profile Visakhapatnam constituency. Botcha Jhansi Lakshmi of the ruling YSR Congress Party (YRSCP) will take on Sribharat Mathukumilli of the TDP who finished runner-up with the loss by [] The post Its Jhansi vs Sribharat in high-profile Visakhapatnam appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

Srikakulam: Collector Denies Reports of Employees Casting Vote Openly

Visakhapatnam: The concept of secret ballot seems to have been given a go bye in Narasannapeta assembly constituency in Srikakulam district on Saturday where government employees used postal ballots. As per reports, groups of employees entered the compartment and cast their ballots openly consulting each other. Video clips of the open ballot went viral in north coastal Andhra Pradesh. Polling had to begin at 7 pm but due to delay in arrival of poll officials, the polling station was opened at 9.30 am. After the opening of the station, there was a rush of employees which led to confusion among the officials and voters. There were also reports of YSRC activists hovering around the polling station and there were no police. Denying the reports of open casting of votes, Srikakulam collector Dr Manazir Jeelani Samoon said the returning officer confirmed him that the ballots were used in secrecy. There was a galata and confusion in the early hours but everything went off smoothly, the collector said.

LS polls: Jhansi vs Sribharat in high-profile Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam: A direct close fight is on the cards between two highly-educated leaders from prominent political families in the high-profile Visakhapatnam constituency. Botcha Jhansi Lakshmi of the ruling YSR Congress Party (YRSCP) will take on Sribharat Mathukumilli of the TDP who finished runner-up with the loss by a narrow margin in 2019. Jhansi is the Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Heat waves forecast for 227 mandals in Andhra Pradesh on Saturday

Motorists cover Scarf their heads due to heat waves on Bandar Road in Vijayawada on Tuesday. Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) managing director R Kurmanadh said 227 mandals in the state are expected to experience heat waves on Saturday. Of the 227 mandals, 58 of them would experience severe heat waves, while 169 are expected to witness heat waves, he said. Severe heat waves have been forecast for 12 mandals in Srikakulam district, Vizianagaram (23 mandals), Parvatipuram Manyam (14), Visakhapatnam (one) and Anakapalli (eight), he said in a press release on Friday. Heat waves are predicted in 13 mandals in Srikakulam district, Vizianagaram (three mandals) and one each in Parvatipuram Manyam, Nellore, Sri Satyasai, West Godavari and Annamayya. Similarly, Alluri Sitaramaraju and Krishna (nine each), Visakhapatnam (two), Anakapalli (10), Konaseema and Tirupati (five each), Kakinada (17), East Godavari (four), Eluru (11), NTR (six), Guntur (14) and Palnadu (22) are to witness heat waves. Heat waves have also been forecast for three mandals in Bapatla district, Prakasam (14), Kadapa (four) and Tirupati (five). On Friday, Gospadu and Bandi Atmakuru in Nandyala district logged a maximum temperature of 47.7 degrees celsius each, followed by Ardhaveedu in Prakasam (47.3 C) and Chinnacheppali in Kadapa (47.2 C). Likewise, Veepinapi Akkamambapuram in Nellore (47.1 C), Peddakannali in Tirupati (46.9 C) and Panchalingala in Kurnool (46.8 C), among others. Kurmanadh advised people to stay indoors as much as possible between 11 am and 4 pm, and take precautions.

Andhra Pradesh polls: Politics not 'five-minute noodles', needs patience, says Pawan Kalyan

Pawan Kalyan stresses trust in politics in Visakhapatnam, advocating for NDA in Andhra Pradesh. He urges support for TDP and BJP in the upcoming elections, criticizing YSR Congress and Congress's past decisions.

Andhra Pradesh: IMD issues severe heatwave alert in 58 mandals today

VISAKHAPATNAM : As many as 58 mandals, including 12 in Srikakulam, 23 in Vizianagaram, and 14 in Parvathipuram Manyam, one in Visakhapatnam and eight in Anakapalli, are likely to experience severe heatwave conditions on Saturday. Additionally, 169 mandals are expected to record heatwave conditions, as per the forecast by the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA). According to the India Meteorological Departments Amaravati Centres forecast, isolated places in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh (NCAP), Yanam, South Coastal Andhra Pradesh (SCAP), and Rayalaseema regions will experience heatwave conditions on Saturday and Sunday. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph are also expected in these areas. However, there is a slight relief in sight as heavy rain is expected in isolated places over NCAP, Yanam, and SCAP on May 7. On Friday, 63 mandals recorded severe heatwave, with Nandyal registering the highest maximum temperature at 46.3 degrees Celsius closely followed by Kadapa at 46.2 degrees Celsius, Kurnool at 45.9 degrees Celsius, Jangamaheswarapuram was 45.2 degrees Celsius, and Anantapur at 44.4 degrees Celsius. While 208 mandals recorded heatwave. Areas on the outskirts of Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram received rainfall on Friday evening, providing some respite from the heat.

Modi to address election meetings, hold roadshow in Andhra Pradesh on May 6, 8

VIJAYAWADA : Prime Minister Narendra Modis second phase of electioneering in the State has been finalised. Earlier, Modi addressed a public meeting, along with TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan, at Boppudi in Chilakaluripet on March 1. Announcing the PMs second phase campaign schedule, BJP official spokesperson Lanka Dinakar said Modi will address three public meetings and hold a roadshow along with Naidu and Pawan Kalyan on May 6 and 8. On May 6, Modi will arrive at Rajahmundry airport at 3 pm, and address a public meeting at Vemagiri in Rajahmundry Rural Assembly segment. State BJP chief D Purandeswari is contesting from Rajahmundry Lok Sabha constituency. Modi will campaign for the BJP Lok Sabha candidate and the MLA nominees of the tripartite alliance. From there, he will go to Visakhapatnam, and address an election meeting at Kasimkota in Anakapalle Lok Sabha constituency in support of the partys MP candidate CM Ramesh and the MLA candidates of NDA. On May 8, Modi will arrive at Tirupati airport at 2 am, and address an election meeting at Kalikiri in Pileru Assembly constituency, in support of BJP Rajampet MP candidate N Kiran Kumar Reddy, and other MLA nominees of the tripartite alliance. From there, the Prime Minister will arrive at Gannavaram airport at 4 pm, and participate in a roadshow from Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation Stadium to Benz Circle in Vijayawada at 5 pm.

Tribals seek transportation facility to exercise franchise in ASR district

VISAKHAPATNAM: Tribal people of Kalyan Gummi village in Gumma Panchayat of Ananthagiri mandal in Alluri Sitarama Raju district find themselves at a crossroads as the general elections are just 10 days away. Amidst the fervour of political campaign and promises, the tribal community of the remote village is grappling with a pressing concern, which is the daunting task of reaching the polling booth to cast their votes. Hindered by geographical isolation and inadequate transportation infrastructure, the tribals are voicing their demand for essential facilities to ensure their participation in the democratic process. The village, comprising 22 families with a total of 40 eligible voters, is situated in a remote location. The primary issue stems from the lack of proper transportation infrastructure connecting Kalyan Gummi to the nearby Cherukubidda polling station, located in the same Ananthagiri mandal. To cast their votes, the tribals are compelled to embark on an arduous journey spanning approximately 70 km, traversing through hilly terrain and across two districts. The route entails a series of challenges, beginning with a 15 km trek through the hills of Anakapalle district to reach the starting point at Maddigaruvu. From there, the journey involves taking an auto via Kothuru and continuing through Gangapudi in Vizianagaram district before finally arriving at Cherukubidda via Srungavarapukota to cast their votes. Faced with these obstacles, the tribals are seeking provision of transportation facility by the district authorities and the Election Commission to facilitate their participation in the electoral process. Kondababu of Kalyan Gummi emphasised the importance of voting as a fundamental right of all citizens. The journey to the polling station includes covering a distance of 70 km round trip, consuming nearly six hours of travel time. As casting vote is a fundamental right of all citizens, we urge the Election Commission and district authorities to provide transportation facility for us, which would alleviate the financial strain we face, given our modest financial circumstances, he said. He also urged the government to provide job cards and support initiatives aimed at fostering financial independence among the tribals.

Lok Sabha candidates rise by 42% compared to 2019 elections in Andhra Pradesh | Visakhapatnam News - The Times of India

Lok Sabha candidates rise by 42% compared to 2019 elections in Andhra Pradesh | Visakhapatnam News The Times of India

Naidu, PK envious of Jagans popularity: MLC Kalyani

Visakhapatnam: YSRC MLC Varudu Kalyani criticised TD chief N. Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan for being envious of the growing support for Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy's preparatory meetings across the state. Addressing a press conference in Visakhapatnam, she accused Pawan Kalyan's party of resorting to personal insults against Jagan due to their failing manifesto. She suggested that it would be more beneficial for Pawan Kalyan to discuss his contributions during his time in the government from 2014-19 and ask for votes based on those achievements. Kalyani reminded Pawan Kalyan that Jagan Mohan Reddy is the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and should be respected for his achievements. Under Jagan's leadership, the YSRC has won 151 Assembly and 22 MP seats by focusing on the welfare of the people. In contrast, Pawan Kalyan's party has not even been able to contest in elections since its inception. She highlighted Jagan's accomplishments, such as making Andhra Pradesh the number one state in terms of ease of doing business and growth rate. She mentioned that Jagan is not a criminal but a history creator. Kalyani questioned when Pawan Kalyan would hold those responsible for land grabbing and mistreating women accountable. Kalyani further urged Pawan Kalyan to address the Land Titling Act issue and clarify his stance on it. She also asked why Pawan has not spoken about critical matters like railway zone and steel plant privatisation.

Andhra Pradesh: Six arrested for duping people with fake gold and currency in Visakhapatnam

The News Mill

651 Maoist-Sensitive Polling Stations in Agency 2 Choppers To Fly Poll Officials

Picture used for representation purpose. Photo: PTI Picture used for representation purpose. Photo: PTI Visakhapatnam: The police in Alluri Sitarama Raju and Parvathipuram districts are focusing on Maoist-influenced polling stations for conducting the elections in a smooth manner on May 13. Cops in the two districts have identified 651 LWE sensitive and 238 law and order problem polling stations. A police official in ASR district said that they have identified 610 Left Wing Extremist sensitive and 85 law and order sensitive stations out of the total 1021 polling stations. The district election officer has arranged two helicopters to fly the polling officials to Gruttedu under Y Ramavaram mandal of Rampachodavaram assembly constituency. Funds have been sanctioned early to install cell towers and improve roads to several polling stations in the district. We have set up check posts and are frisking suspicious persons at various locations in the district, said a police officer. Araku Lok Sabha seat (ST), which consists of LWE affected assembly segments like Paderu, Araku Valley, Rampachodavaram, Parvathipuram and Saluru, will go to polls on May 13. The official said 30 polling booths in Chintoor and Munchingput mandals have been shifted due to the Maoist threat perception. The special police launched an area-domination exercise in the bordering areas of Odisha and Chhattisgarh after a large number of Maoists were neutralized in Chhattisgarh, to ensure they do not cross over to AP via the Odisha border, he added. The outlawed Maoists recently released a pamphlet in Munchingput and other areas close to the Odisha border, appealing to the people to boycott the elections. Maoists had shot down Araku MLA Kidari Sarveswara Rao and his predecessor Siveri Soma in Livitput village near Araku Valley on September 23, 2018, some 10 months before the 2019 elections. In Parvathipuram Manyam district, out of the total 981 polling stations, 41 have been identified as Maoist-sensitive and 153 law and order problem stations.

Three capitals is not an important issue for Vizagites, but development is, says TDP MP candidate M. Sribharat

Visakhapatnam city, which is called the City of Destiny, is destined to grow, and making it the capital city really does not appeal to the people or will have an impact, he says

Jana Sena leader's PA beats up TD worker in Elamanchili

Visakhapatnam: There are reports of Jana Sena MLA candidate Sundavarapu Vijaya Kumars personal assistant allegedly attacking a Telugu Desam Party activist in a lodge room at Elamanchili in Anakapalli district. The incident occurred after the NDA alliance organised a meeting of Yadava community at a lodge in Atchutapuram on Friday. Apparently, while having lunch, there had been a minor altercation between TD youth leader Golagani Naidu and a Jana Sena party worker. This led to Vijaya Kumar's PA punching Naidu, dragging the latter into the PAs room and beating Naidu till he bled. Somehow, panic-stricken Naidu escaped and approached the police. He alleged that capturing, torturing and injuring people in lodge rooms is nothing new to Sundavarapu Vijay Kumar of Jana Sena Party. It is part of Vijay Kumars rowdy politics, the TD worker stated.

DC Report Makes Officials Visit Hilltop Village

Visakhapatnam: Following a report published in Deccan Chronicle on May 1, revenue inspector M. Laxmikant and revenue officer T. Kondababu of Anantagiri mandal walked five kilometres and visited the remote hilltop village of Kalyan Gummi. The officials made detailed inquiries about the villagers demands and took stock of the situation. Kalyan Gummi villagers have to leave their homes two days before the voting day. They take up an arduous journey of 70 kilometres across two districts, including walking through the hills, to reach their polling centre in Cherikibidda of Anantagiri mandal, where they finally exercise their franchise. The villagers' journey to the polling centre is a testament of their determination to cast their vote. The demand of Kalyan Gummi villagers is that the government connect their village with transport facilities.

We Will Ban Liquor After 15 Years: Botsa

VISHAKHAPATNAM: Botsa Satyanarayana, a key figure in the YSRC cabinet, holds significant sway in North Andhra. He spoke about the current election management, government policies and the party manifesto in an exclusive interview with Deccan Chronicle. The state education minister spoke about many issues and, in special, said a ban on liquor can be effected after 15 years. He expressed confidence in the YSRC winning the present polls and retaining power. Excerpts from the interview: Q. How confident are you about the YSRCs chances as the polling day is fast approaching? A. My confidence is unwavering. Jagan Mohan Reddy has created a narrative in which he urges voters to support YSRC if they have benefitted from his five-year tenure. This election is a litmus test of credibility, and the people are captivated by Jagans trajectory. I am convinced that the people will rally behind him. Q. You are confident that `2.7 lakh crore in DBTs will see you through, but your opponents say the AP government incurred huge debts. How are you going to deal with this? A. It is true that the loans were taken, but this was done by keeping in mind the states Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act. Chandrababu Naidu had borrowed more than what the FRBM rules allowed. He borrowed in excess of Rs 28,000 crore; more than what we have borrowed. Q. What is your take on the propaganda that the state is in debt like Sri Lanka. A. Chandrababu is indulging in baseless propaganda against us. He alleges that we have plunged the state into debt due to the welfare schemes that we've implemented. However, his own manifesto is replete with promises of similar welfare schemes termed Super Six or Super Ten. Now, he must elucidate us as to how he intends to fulfill these promises. Where would he organize as much money from? The people are beginning to question his capacity to deliver on his commitments. Q. What are your sources to implement the YSRCs 2024 Manifesto? A. We have introduced some improvements in the new manifesto because we know that we have to fulfill everything that was promised in it. We have taken some financial steps to increase the state's revenue. We are confident that we will implement the 2024 manifesto without undue resort to loans. This time, the main point of our manifesto is action for development. Q. The main charge of the Opposition is that the YSRC government can't create wealth. How do you respond? A. Compared to Chandrababu's administration, Jagan Reddy's administration ensured a far better growth rate. It becomes apparent who is likely to generate more wealth. Based on official records, the growth rate during Jaganmohan Reddy's administration was higher. Q. You have compared the YSRC Manifesto to Bhagavad Gita, Quran and Bible, and how can you be dishonest in implementing total prohibition of alcohol? A. Liquor prohibition will be done in a phased manner. We will ban liquor after 15 years. What is wrong with this? We have not promised to ban liquor overnight. Secondly we have been reducing liquour sales by 33 per cent annually, which has reduced its consumption. Q. Employees have turned hostile to your government. Will they vote for you? A. After Independence, which government cleared employee dues? Dues clearance is a routine process with new dues accumulating regularly. It's unnecessary to scrutinize the matter too closely. Q. The Opposition is alleging that Visakhapatnam is being made capital because there is a real estate interest behind it. A. CM Jagan wants to make Vizag the executive capital so that this region will develop. Because sea, air and land connectivity are good here, Vizag would become a world-class city. Building a gated community in Amaravati and concentrating all the wealth there would benefit a particular community involved in the real estate business. Q. What are your efforts to stop the privatization of VSP? A. During a public meeting addressed by Prime Minister Modi, Jagan raised his voice for VSP and opposed its privatization. The CM had written several letters asking the PM to stop the privatization. The assembly also passed a resolution opposing privatization. Q. The alliance has been using the Land Titling Act as its main campaign tool, explaining that the Act would impact landholders. How would you counter this? A. The Opposition is spreading lies to mislead the public. This framework has not yet come into force. The matter is in the court. We will hold meetings. Arguments will be made before the District Authority on the objections received. After this work is completed, a public hearing will be held. If there are any problems, the High Court can be approached. In this way, the opinions of all the communities will be collected and then the decisions will be made. The process of making a decision will take two years. The aim of this Act is to resolve the years-old disputes and to ensure that individuals ownership is protected. As per data, 80 per cent of the current civil disputes are related to land. We want to resolve these disputes. Q. The opposition's big campaign is that Jagan has not been able to create jobs, and if Chandrababu comes to power, more jobs will be created. How many jobs could be created by the YSRC government? A. Even in 2014, TD's campaign was that Babu would bring jobs and the unemployed would get `2,000 as stipend. What happened to this promise? Chandrababu is telling the same story again. We are building four seaports on a large scale. We are also building hospitals, developing industry which would create jobs. We have also introduced the secretariat system, announced Group-1 recruitment, and released the DSC notification. We have released the notification for about 3000 jobs in universities. Q. You were not on screen when Vijayasai Reddy was the North Andhra Regional Coordinator but you shined after he left. What is the reason for this? A. Vijayasai Reddy was the regional coordinator, but elections were not held then. If elections were held now, I would definitely be the one who appear on the screen. I am used to carrying out the responsibilities given by the party, and now I am doing the same thing. Q. You shifted to Vizag because Jhansi is facing a tough time. A. The situation is strong in Vizianagaram district because we are all on our own. We are going to win 9 seats in Vizianagaram, but given the fact that there are two TD sitting MLAs in Vizag, there is a need to take care of the affairs here. Q. Bharat is among those contesting for Vizag MP. Is he more local compared to Botsa Jhansi? Don't you think it is a tough competition? A. We are doing our best and we believe that the people will bless us. Although there will be competition in Vizag, we are confident of winning the present polls.

2.40 Crore Unaccounted Cash Seized In East Godavari

Police seized unaccounted cash of `2.40 crore from a private, inter-state bus in Gopalapuram, East Godavari on Thursday. Devarapalli circle inspector (CI) P. Bala Suresh said the cash was found in two bags with a bus passenger, Ayyala China Chennaiah, a resident of Kurnool. Chennaiah said that some unidentified person gave him the money to give it to another man in Rajamahendravaram. The bus was going from Hyderabad to Visakhapatnam. CI Bala Suresh said the money was found during a routine check at the interstate check post near Gopalapuram. The cash was handed over to treasury department officials.

Gadkari promises prioritised development of infrastructure in Araku

VISAKHAPATNAM : Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has assured the people of Araku Lok Sabha constituency of prioritised infrastructure development, encompassing roads, drinking water supply, electricity, communication and irrigation facilities. Addressing an election meeting at Venkampeta in Parvathipuram Manyam district on Thursday, he reiterated the BJP-led NDA governments commitment to the uplift of tribal communities, while seeking the peoples mandate for Araku Lok Sabha BJP candidate Kothapalli Geetha. He emphasised the Modi governments focus on various development initiatives, particularly in the realm of water conservation and supply. He underscored the significance of river-linking projects and urged concerted efforts towards water conservation. Expressing concern over rural depopulation due to migration to urban areas, he highlighted the decline in the number of cultivators in villages. Referring to water scarcity, Gadkari recalled his tenure as the Water Resources Minister, mentioning the sanctioning of the Polavaram project for Andhra Pradesh. However, he expressed disappointment over the projects delay, attributing it to political factors within the State. Gadkari stressed the potential for economic growth through water availability in rural, agricultural and tribal areas, citing a possible two-fold increase in the countrys growth rate. He lamented the current state of agriculture and allied industries, which contribute only 12% to the GDP, and attributed rural-to-urban migration to flawed economic policies. Under the leadership of Modi, Gadkari outlined plans to strengthen rural, agricultural and tribal economies. He pledged support for diversifying agriculture towards the energy and power sectors, citing ongoing road infrastructure projects such as the Visakhapatnam-Raipur connectivity (595 km) costing `35,000 crore and the Rajamahendravaram-Vizianagaram greenfield express highway costing `22,000 crore. Additionally, Gadkari mentioned the completion of the Saluru bypass on NH 43. He later took part in an Elite Meet in Anakapalle along with BJP Lok Sabha candidate CM Ramesh.

AP politics delayed Polavaram project: Gadkari

Visakhapatnam : Union minister for roads, Nitin Gadkari, has said politics in Andhra Pradesh delayed the prestigious Polavaram project that was sanctioned by him while he was minister for water resources. Addressing election meetings in Venkampeta as a part of his campaign for Araku Assembly candidate Kothapalli Geetha and Anakapalli LS candidate C.M. Ramesh in Vepagunta area on Thursday, Gadkari said the project cost of Polavaram was then estimated at Rs 60,000 crore. Gadkari said he visited the project site four times when Chandrababu Naidu was chief minister. It was the responsibility of the state government to complete the project, he stressed. When the new government came in 2019, it initiated several inquiries and the end result was the project was delayed, Gadkari said. He said originally three schemes were proposed when 1,300 tmc of water from Godavari was going into the sea as waste. The first scheme was to take water from Godavari to Krishna, Krishna river to Penna and Penna to Kaveri, and taking the tail end to Tamil Nadu. This could have solved the water problem of the entire South India, Gadkari said, blaming the previous governments for wrong policies that led to water disputes. He said as a corrective measure, the NDA government launched Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchay Yojana to focus on big and medium dams and water conservation measures that would bring socio-economic changes in the rural economy. Agriculture contributes 12 per cent to GDP, manufacturing 22-24 per cent and services 52 to 56 per cent. He said 90 per cent of the population lived in rural areas and later 30 per cent of the population migrated to bigger cities due to the wrong policies of the government that existed after the time of Independence, he said. Now we are focusing on diversion of agriculture to energy and power sector that would save the foreign exchange in importing crude oil and enrich the rural youth, Gadkari said. He said already trial runs were on to make bitumen from broken rice and bio-fuel and aviation fuel from sea molasses, bamboo, broken rice and corn. Very soon vehicles would run on ethanol. Speaking about his contributions to north Andhra as minister for roads, Gadkari said work on Visakhapatnam-Raipur express highway covering a distance on 595 kilometres worth Rs 35,000 crore was on and similarly the Rajamahendravaram-Vizianagaram green express highway covering a distance of 688km was nearing completion. This project costs Rs 22,000 crore. These two roads would be game changer as new developmental activities would be initiated providing employment to thousands of people, Gadkari said.

Modi to visit AP on May 6 and 8

Vijayawada : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit AP for election campaign on May 6 and 8. Based on a tentative schedule, PM Modi will address election rallies and meetings in Rajamahendravaram, Anakapalli, Rajampet and Vijayawada. The AP polls are slated for May 13. Sources say state BJP leaders are making efforts to get promises for AP from Modi on major issues like execution of Polavaram project by releasing funds, as also on the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, a railway zone, metro rail etc. The BJP is contesting in 10 Assembly and six Lok Sabha constituencies in alliance with TD and Jana Sena.

Undefeated Kapu leaders to clash for Bheeminupatnam MLA seat

Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao from YSRCP and Ganta Srinivasa Rao from TDP, who have not lost an election in 20 years, are vying for one of the biggest Assembly constituencies in North Andhra districts

2kmp4/Heat waves continue to sweep AP, Nandyal at 46.2 C

Visakhapatnam : Heat wave continued to boil parts of Andhra Pradesh for the second consecutive day on Thursday with mercury touching 46.2 degree Celsius in Nandyal on Thursday. The mercury touched 45.3 degree Celsius in Kurnool, followed by 44.8C at Kadapa and Jangamaheswarapuram. Tirupati recorded 44.1C and the remaining parts of the state recorded the maximum temperatures between 39C and 43 C on the day. Nandyal, Kurnool, Arogyavaram (42.5C), and Kavali (43.1C) experienced heat wave conditions on Thursday while hot, humid and most uncomfortable weather prevailed in many parts of the state, Dr S Karuna Sagar of IMD, Amaravathi. The heat wave conditions will prevail at isolated places over Rayalaseema districts as well as coastal Andhra Pradesh region and Yanam from May 3 to May 5 while the remaining parts of the state will experience hot and humid weather conditions. Adding woes to the heat waves, parts of Rayalaseema region will experience warmer nights during the period, Karuna Sagar added. The people in tribal pockets of Alluri Sitharama Raju and Parvathipuram Manyam districts said that they have been experiencing hot and humid weather conditions for the past few days forcing them to stay indoors. Few parts in ASR district on Thursday recorded thunderstorms in the evening hours, however the spell of showers failed to bring much respite from hot weather conditions.

1,404 voters will go for Vote from Home in Visakhapatnam on May 7 and 8

Andhra Pradesh's Electoral Roll for 2023 Finalized with Over 4.14 Crore Eligible Voters

Andhra Pradesh's Electoral Roll for 2023 Finalized with Over 4.14 Crore Eligible Voters Andhra Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Mukesh Kumar Meena on Thursday published the final electoral roll of the state in the run-up to the forthcoming polls, pegging the total number of voters over 4.14 crore, which rose by nearly six lakh from January 1. In exact figures, the total number of voters in the southern state are 4,14,01,887, who include 2.02 crore male voters, 2.1 crore female voters, 3,421 third gender voters and 68,185 service electors. ''Voter list has been finalised and frozen. On the day of freezing the list, April 25, including all categories of voters, service voters, male, female and third gender voters, there are 4,14,01,887 voters,'' said Meena, addressing a press conference at the secretariat here. The CEO noted that the electoral rolls witnessed an increase by 5,94,631 voters between January 1, 2024 and April 1. The voter list was updated until the last day of receiving the nominations, April 25. Meena called on the electorate to check their names and polling stations at https://electoralsearch.eci.gov.in/ and on the voter helpline app. Though more than 7.2 lakh voters are eligible for home voting under the categories of voters above 85 years of age and specially-abled, Meena said only 28,591 such voters availed this facility. Further, he said that the number of polling stations rose from 46,165 to 46,389, after factoring in the requirement of 224 auxiliary polling stations which were supplemented to regular polling stations where the upper limit of 1,500 electors has been breached. The highest number of auxiliary polling stations (50) have been added in Visakhapatnam district. Meanwhile, the CEO noted that 12,438 polling stations out of the total have been identified as critical while webcasting has been proposed for 29,897 or 64 percent of the polling stations. Until Thursday, as part of the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), Meena observed that two deaths, 156 injuries and 13.4 lakh properties were involved in cases of electoral violence. Besides binding over 72,416 persons, the Election Commission has also registered 9,337 seizure FIRs and 864 FIRs related to enforcement such as loudspeaker violations, irregular meetings and others. Likewise, the poll body seized liquor, cash, drugs, precious metals, freebies and other inducements worth Rs 204 crore from March 16 to May 2. Further, Meena observed that safety measures would be put in place at polling stations prone to heat waves, such as setting up tents, canopies, umbrellas and shade structures, along with providing chairs. Likewise, cooling devices such as fans will be arranged at necessary polling stations for maintaining comfortable temperature for voters and polling personnel, including drinking water facilities at all the polling stations. Elections for the 175-member Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh are scheduled on May 13 and the counting of votes will be held on June 4.

Ex-CBI Officer Enters Andhra Pradesh Election Race, Criticizes YSRCP and TDP Dynastic Politics

Ex-CBI Officer Enters Andhra Pradesh Election Race, Criticizes YSRCP and TDP Dynastic Politics VV Lakshmi Narayana, the former IPS officer who shot into fame after he supervised the ''quid-pro-quo'' case and arrest of YSR Congress chief and incumbent CM, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in 2012 , has floated a political party and is now contesting assembly polls from Visakhapatnam (North). The Ex CBI Joint Director's Jai Bharat National Party is contesting 15 Lok Sabha seats (10 in AP and 5 in neighbouring Telangana) and 76 Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh. The retired additional DG rank officer says the agenda of his party is to provide a platform for the peoples voices and provide good governance, if picked by the people, as the the main political parties in the state, the ruling YSR Congress and TDP are family-run parties. Speaking to PTI here he said his party if voted to power, will cater to the needs of all the people with a focused approach on wealth creation, employment generation and welfare with minimum freebies. ''The agenda is to provide good governance, and a platform to the people. Because now if you see the entire state of Andhra Pradesh, you have one Alliance (NDA) and one party (YSRCP). We need to provide another alternative to the people. Because people have already seen what has happened in the previous five years, he said. Hitting out at the major political parties in the state, the former IPS officer alleged the law and order situation in the state is in very bad condition and it should be improved for attracting investments through which youth get jobs. Outlining his vision for development, Lakshminarayana said there is a lot of potential in AP for the tourism industry and food processing industry can be amplified as the state has an agri-based economy. ''We have 974 km of coastline. What are we doing with that? Have you developed any tourism here? A small state like Goa is thriving in tourism. We have so much coastline , why can't we? That is how we want to do it,'' he explained. Asked on national politics, he said NDA's ambitious target of getting more than 400 seats may not be possible. Drawing parallels, he said the earlier government under former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee also undertook ''India Shining'' campaign before polls in 2004 and the result was different. He opined that it is spiritually good that Ram Mandir was constructed after battling 500 years, and that the country should also aim for having ''Ram Rajya'' for good governance. Replying to a query on the recent arrests of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and BRS supremo K Chandrsasekhar Rao's daughter in money laundering cases, the retired police official said agencies like ED and CBI should be brought under the purview of Lok Pal, not under ministries in the government. He said, if elected, his priority is to to see that AP gets the special category status, Steel Plant privatization is stopped and getting a railway zone to Visakhapatnam besides getting all the bifurcation issues resolved. Narayana unsuccessfully contested Lok Sabha polls on Janasena platform from Visakhapatnam in 2019. Later he quit the party. Elections to 175 Assembly seats and 25 Lok Sabha segments in the state will be held on May 13.

Former CBI Officer Enters Andhra Election Race, Accuses Both YSRCP and TDP of Being Family-Run

Former CBI Officer Enters Andhra Election Race, Accuses Both YSRCP and TDP of Being Family-Run VV Lakshmi Narayana, the former IPS officer who shot into fame after he supervised the ''quid-pro-quo'' case and arrest of YSR Congress chief and incumbent CM, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in 2012 , has floated a political party and is now contesting assembly polls from Visakhapatnam (North). The retired additional DG rank officer says the agenda of his Jai Bharat National Party, is to provide a platform for the peoples voices and provide good governance, if picked by the people, as the the main political parties in the state, the ruling YSR Congress and TDP are family-run parties. Speaking to PTI here he said his party if voted to power, will cater to the needs of all the people with a focused approach on wealth creation, employment generation and welfare with minimum freebies. ''The agenda is to provide good governance, and a platform to the people. Because now if you see the entire state of Andhra Pradesh, you have one Alliance (NDA) and one party (YSRCP). We need to provide another alternative to the people. Because people have already seen what has happened in the previous five years, he said. Hitting out at the major political parties in the state, the former IPS officer alleged the law and order situation in the state is in very bad condition and it should be improved for attracting investments through which youth get jobs. Outlining his vision for development, Lakshminarayana said there is a lot of potential in AP for the tourism industry and food processing industry can be amplified as the state has an agri-based economy. ''We have 974 km of coastline. What are we doing with that? Have you developed any tourism here? A small state like Goa is thriving in tourism. We have so much coastline , why can't we? That is how we want to do it,'' he explained. Asked on national politics, he said NDA's ambitious target of getting more than 400 seats may not be possible. Drawing parallels, he said the earlier government under former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee also undertook ''India Shining'' campaign before polls in 2004 and the result was different. He opined that it is spiritually good that Ram Mandir was constructed after battling 500 years, and that the country should also aim for having ''Ram Rajya'' for good governance. Replying to a query on the recent arrests of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and BRS supremo K Chandrsasekhar Rao's daughter in money laundering cases, the retired police official said agencies like ED and CBI should be brought under the purview of Lok Pal, not under ministries in the government. He said, if elected, his priority is to to see that AP gets the special category status, Steel Plant privatization is stopped and getting a railway zone to Visakhapatnam besides getting all the bifurcation issues resolved. The Ex CBI Joint Director's party is contesting 15 Lok Sabha seats (10 in AP and 5 in neighbouring Telangana) and 76 Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh. Narayana unsuccessfully contested Lok Sabha polls on Janasena platform from Visakhapatnam in 2019. Later he quit the party. Elections to 175 Assembly seats and 25 Lok Sabha segments in the state will be held on May 13.

Andhra Pradesh: Panchagramalu issue vital in Bheemili election outcome

VISAKHAPATNAM: From housing problems in Simhachalams Panchagramalu to the perennial challenge of ensuring access to clean drinking water, the Bheemili Assembly constituency navigates a complex terrain of civic concerns. Promising to address these myriads of pressing issues in the constituency, former minister and TDP MLA candidate Ganta Srinivasa Rao and incumbent MLA Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao representing YSRC are gearing up for the fierce ballot battle. Even after more than two decades, the land issue of PanchagramaluVenkatapuram, Purushothapuram, Vepagunta, Adavivaram and Cheemalapallipersisted upturning the lives of residents. Despite being spread across various constituencies, including Bheemunipatnam, Visakhapatnam West, Visakhapatnam North, and Pendurthi, the problem remains unresolved. The TDP government, during its tenure from 2004 to 2009, took steps to address the issue by releasing GO no 578 to regularise the lands, but uptake was limited. The GO declared that the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Simhachalam was the true owner of a 9,069 acres. Subsequently, the Congress government, which assumed power in 2009, withheld the GO. Ahead of the 2019 polls, YSRC made promises to resolve the Panchagramalu issue. After coming into power, the ruling government formed a committee led by the endowments minister to tackle the matter, but in vain. On the other hand, residents of Madhurawada, Kommadi, and nearby areas voiced grievances regarding the proliferation of stray pigs and dogs, which pose both sanitation and safety concerns. Moreover, the absence of adequate street lighting exacerbates security challenges, particularly at night. Madhurwada and nearby areas are developing quickly, but theres a lack of basic facilities. Streetlights are scarce, making it unsafe to travel after dark. Stray dogs and pigs add to the problem, making commuting risky, residents of the region said. The constituencys valuable geo-heritage, like Erra Matti Dibbalu, remains overlooked amidst pressing concerns. Additionally, pollution marred the beauty of renowned beaches like Rushikonda Beach. The controversial construction on Rushikonda Hill has stirred debate, with residents questioning the authorities priorities. Despite Rushikonda Beachs blue-flag status, pollution persists without adequate action. Similarly, development initiatives, apart from minor touch-ups during events like the G-20 Summit, seem scarce, prompting concerns about fulfilling residents needs over official requirements. The construction on Rushikonda Hill, initially touted as a tourism project, is now speculated to be intended as the Chief Ministers residence, reflecting a disconnect between promises and outcomes, the public opined. In the 2019 elections, Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao, popularly known as Avanthi Srinivas, of the YSRC, emerged victorious, defeating Sabbam Hari of the Telugu Desam party by a margin of 9,712 votes. In contrast, in 2014, Ganta Srinivas Rao of the TDP secured the seat with 1,18,020 votes, maintaining a lead over Karri Sita Ramu of the YSRC. As the 2014 winner prepares to contest against the 2019 winner in the upcoming elections, the constituency awaits to see who will come to power and what issues will be addressed under their leadership.

Andhra Pradesh: Glass Tumbler in certain MP, MLA segments frozen by ECI

VIJAYAWADA: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has frozen the Glass Tumbler symbol in certain Assembly and parliamentary constituencies to candidates other than the Jana Sena Party (JSP) nominees. Accordingly, independents or Registered Unrecognised Political Party (RUPP) candidates other than the JSP would not be allotted the symbol with the decision of the Election Commission. Hearing petitions filed before it seeking directions to the ECI to freeze the Glass Tumbler symbol to the JSP and not to allot the symbol to independents as it would hamper the prospects of the tripartite alliance candidates, the court on Tuesday directed the ECI to pass orders within 24 hours on the issue. Following the court directions, the ECI has issued orders freezing the symbol in all such Assembly constituencies, which fall under the parliamentary constituencies where the JSP has put up its candidates, and in all such parliamentary constituencies consisting of the Assembly constituencies where the JSP has put up its candidates, for all other independent or RUPP candidates other than JSP. The JSP is contesting 21 Assembly and two Lok Sabha seats. With the orders, no independent or RUPP candidate contesting in any of the Assembly seats in Kakinada and Machilipatnam Lok Sabha segments would be allotted the Glass Tumbler symbol. TDP files plea on common symbol in HC Similarly, no independent or RUPP candidate contesting as an MP under the Assembly constituencies being fought by the JSP would be allotted the Glass Tumbler symbol. The 21 Assembly segments, where the JSP is in fray fall in 13 parliamentary constituencies, which include Kakinada, Tirupati, Guntur, Vizianagaram, Anakapalle, Rajahmundry, Amalapuram, Narasapuram, Eluru, Rajampet, Machilipatnam, Visakhapatnam and Araku. The ECI asked the officials to revise the allotment of symbols to the contenders. When the petition came up for hearing on Wednesday, JSPs counsel YV Raviprasad expressed satisfaction over the ECI orders, following which the HC disposed of the petition. Meanwhile, the TDP filed a petition in the court on Wednesday, seeking directions to the ECI not to allot the Glass Tumbler symbol to any independent of RUPP candidates in any of the Assembly or parliamentary constituencies in the State. It maintained that the TDP, BJP and JSP are contesting as an alliance, and the allotment of the Glass Tumbler symbol to independents would affect their prospects. The petition will come up for hearing on Thursday.

YSRCs Reddy Shanti Confident of Retaining Pathapatnam

Visakhapatnam : Sitting MLA and ruling party leader Reddy Shanti is confident of humbling the alliance nominee and first-timer Mamidi Givinda Rao in the Pathapatnam constituency. Daughter of veteran Congress leader Palavalasa Rajasekhar, Reddy Shanti defeated Kalamata Venkata Ramana Murthy in the 2019 elections. Ramana Murthy is son of another veteran TD leader Kalamata Mohan Rao who laid a strong foundation for the party from its inception. This election made Ramana Murthy a fall guy as he failed to get the ticket and he is now campaigning for Govinda Rao. He wanted to file nominations as an independent candidate but party chief Chandrababu Naidu made him president of the Srikakulam district party unit and promised to make him an MLC after TD wins power. Kalamata Mohan Rao won the seat in 1989, 1994, 1996, 1999 and 2004. His election in 1996 was nullified, this resulting in a bye-election. Laxmi Parvathi, wife of NT Rama Rao, won the election defeating Venamma Kalamata, wife of Mohan Rao. Mohan Rao joined the Praja Rajyam Party in 2009 but his son Ramana Murthy continued in the TDP. But, before the 2014 elections, he joined the YSRC and defeated Shatrucharla Vijayaramaraju of TD. Local leaders said Ramana Murthy made a mistake of joining back the TD in 2017 and still continuing in it. This development gave a chance to Reddy Shanti and she became the candidate for 2019 elections. She defeated Ramana Murthy by a margin of over 15,000 votes. Local sources said Reddy Shanti turned complacent after winning the elections. Unlike her father, she failed to nurse the constituency, particularly the remote areas that are mostly inhabited by Adivasis. Shanti told the media that she would be taking up drinking water supply projects and laying roads in tribal hamlets of Meliaputti and Kotthuru mandals after these elections and before the onset of the southwest monsoon season. - Total Voters-2,24,801 - Male-1,12,097 - Female-1,12,696 - Third gender 10

Chandrababus Manifesto Deceitful, Hollow: Dharmana

Visakhapatnam: Revenue minister Dharmana Prasada Rao has ridiculed Telugu Desam chief Chandrababu Naidus 2024 manifesto as deceitful and hollow. Addressing an election meeting in Fazulbaghpet in Srikakulam town on Wednesday, the minister noted that Chandrababu made a slew of promises in his 2014 manifesto, which included promises for waiver of DWCRA and farm loans. But Naidu never fulfilled them, rather threw the manifesto in the garbage bin and later removed it from the party's website. Now, again, he is coming up with a pack of lies. In 2014, he promised to provide 20 lakh jobs but he could not provide even 200 jobs during his five-year term. Today he is offering `3,000 as unemployment stipend, Dharmana said. He said the people in AP were happy because of the social welfare schemes launched by the Jagan-government. Peoples representatives knocked on the doors and explained to them about the schemes. They also tried to streamline the process, in places where technical problems deprived the beneficiaries of the schemes. He appealed to the people that if they were satisfied with the schemes and the YSRCs governance, they should give one more opportunity to the YSRC government to continue with these schemes. Explaining the measures to improve school education, the minister said the government recruited the faculty, provided books, uniforms and 19 other items to the children. An amount of `750 crore was spent on this annually. The YSRC government also provided nutritious mid-day meal, and deposited Rs 15,000 as Amma Vodi in the accounts of the mothers of the students. The Amma Vodi scheme has been implemented to provide financial support to mothers so that they do not send their children to work due to poverty. Now we are increasing this scheme payment to Rs 17,000. We have implemented all these programmes thinking that all the poor children should be educated so that the rich-poor gaps in this society will be reduced, Prasada Rao said. He said while Jagan Mohan Reddy mooted decentralization and proposed the capital at Visakhapatnam, Chandrababu Naidu aimed to do real estate business in Amaravati by stating that he made an agreement with the Singapore government to build the capital. In reality, he brought all the thieves, grabbed the farmers' lands and built a capital that had nothing to do with the people, to loot money.

Pawan Kalyan promises price stabilisation fund for farmers

Kakinada/Visakhapatnam: Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan has assured people that the three-party alliance would set up price stabilisation funds for the farmers, if elected to power in the present polls. Addressing an election meeting in Mandapeta on Wednesday, Pawan Kalyan said Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy promised in the 2019 elections to set up a price stabilisation fund for farmers but he went back on his word. But the alliance would set up such a fund to help the farmers, Pawan Kalyan said. He said the YSRC leaders were rolling in wealth while the farmers were pushed into poverty. The YSRC government focused more on ganja harvesting than the farmers in the state, Pawan Kalyan said. Pawan said that he could stage a comeback with the help and love of the people though he was defeated from the two constituencies- Bhimavaram and Gajuwaka in the 2019 elections. Hitting out at Mandapeta YSRC candidate Thota Trimurthulu and Rajya Sabha member Pill Subhash Chandra Bose, Pawan Kalyan said both were political rivals but joined hands to promote their selfish interests at the cost of public welfare and development. He said that both the leaders were not bothered about the development of Godavari bund road from Yanam to Ravulapalem or any other development. Slamming Thota Trimurthulu, the Jana Sena chief said Trimurthulu purchased endowments land for a low price promising construction of a Kalyana Mandapam but till now he did not do this. Taking a dig at Kakinada MLA Dwarampudi Chandrasekhara Reddy, Pawan said Reddy did not confine himself to Kakinada but crossed beyond, looting hundreds of crores of rupees. When youngsters burst into applause, Pawan told them he doesnt want their claps but their votes. I am even struggling to get a proper election symbol. Your claps should convert into votes for the alliance candidates on May 13, he told the people. In the Pendurthi constituency, Pawan Kalyan assured the people that he would take up the issue of pollution in Tadi village with the Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City industrial park. He promised to relocate Tadi village once the alliance came to power. Giving a break to his speech, Pawan sang a few of his film songs, recited the works of poet Guntur Sesendra Sharma, Vangapandu Prasada Rao and Gaddar. He also delivered a few of his film dialogues.

No backing from Modi, Purandeswari to TD-JS manifesto: YSRC MLC Kalyani

Visakhapatnam: State working president of the womens wing of YSRC and MLC Varudu Kalayani has said there is no guarantee/backing from state BJP president D Purandeswari to the manifesto released by the TD-JS alliance in AP. Addressing a press conference in Visakhapatnam, Kalyani said six crore people were surprised after reading the new manifesto launched by the alliance partners. She said the partners reduced the manifesto items to 177 from 600 in the 2014 election as they thought people would not believe in their promises. Neither Narendra Modi nor Purendeswari endorsed the manifesto, Kalyani said. Questioning the feasibility of the manifesto, she said Chandrababu should tell the people of Andhra Pradesh where would money come from, to implement these promises in the manifesto. She said Naidu promised to waive `87,600 crore in farm loans but he went back on his word by calling agriculture a wasteful exercise. He also cheated the women by promising waiver of DWCRA loans and jobs. She said while Jagan Mohan Reddy launched several welfare schemes to cater to the interests of all categories of people, Chandrababu Naidu failed to launch a single scheme that could be remembered by the people.

ECI orders freezing of allotment of Glass Tumbler symbol to others

Vijayawada: The Election Commission has ordered freeze of the Jana Sena party symbol Glass Tumbler to Independents and to contestants from the registered unrecognised political parties in certain Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies. It directed returning officers to revise the allotment of symbols to the contestants accordingly. The EC stated that in the Lok Sabha constituencies where the Jana Sena is contesting, there will be no allotment of Glass Tumbler symbol to the candidates in the Assembly constituencies falling under such jurisdiction. Similarly, in Assembly constituencies where the Jana Sena is contesting, there will be no allotment of Glass Tumbler symbol to other candidates in the fray in Lok Sabha constituencies linked to such Assembly constituencies. This is to avoid public confusion over the JS symbol. The order came in the backdrop of Jana Sena representations to EC to reserve the Glass Tumbler symbol and remove it from the list of free symbols so that the same symbol would not be allotted to any other candidate. The party even moved the High Court citing difficulties and hardships due to the confusion being created due to the common symbol Glass Tumbler being allotted to other unrecognised political parties and independent candidates in the constituencies where the party did not field its candidates. Jana Sena is an unrecognised political party and when it got registered with the ECI, it was allotted the common symbol of Glass Tumbler for the AP polls. As Jana Sena, in alliance with Telugu Desam and BJP, is contesting the polls, the three parties shared the 175 Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats among themselves for the contests. Accordingly, the JS share is 21 Assembly and two Lok Sabha constituencies. They are: Anakapalli, Pendurthi and Elamanchali that fall under Anakapalli Lok Sabha segment; Palakonda that falls under Araku LS; Nellimarla that falls under Vizianagaram LS; Visakhapatnam South that falls under Visakhapatnam LS; Razole and P Gannavaram that fall under Amalapuram LS: Polavaram and Ungutur that fall under Eluru LS; Pitapuram from where the JS chief Pawan Kalyan is contesting and Kakinada Rural that fall under Kakinada LS; Narasapuram, Bhimavaram and Tadepalligudem that fall under Narasapuram LS; Rajanagaram and Nidadavole that fall under Rajahmundry LS; Avanigadda that falls under Vijayawada LS; Tenali that falls under Guntur LS; Tirupati that falls under Tirupati LS and Kodur that falls under Rajampet LS. The two Lok Sabha segments are Kakinada and Machilipatnam. Each LS constituency comprises seven Assembly segments. As per norm, the Glass Tumbler will not be allotted to others in 13 Lok Sabha segments. Kakinada LS has seven Assembly segments including Kakinada City, Pitapuram, Jaggampeta, Peddapuram, Kakinada Rural, Prathipadu and Tuni. Machilipatnam LS also has seven segments-Gudivada, Penamaluru, Machilipatnam, Avanigadda, Pedana, Gannavaram and Pamarru. As per norm, there will be no allotment of Glass Tumbler in 14 Assembly segments where JS is contesting - two Lok Sabha segments - to others. Following this order, the returning officers concerned started calling the independents and others from registered unrecognised political parties who got allotment of Glass Tumbler as a common symbol, to ignore the assignment and now wait for allotment of another symbol. The RO from Visakhapatnam LS called contestant G. Rajesh from Navataram party as he got allotment of Glass Tumbler symbol earlier and said this would be changed to Mike. The Rajahmundry Lok Sabha seat contestant Meda Srinivas from Rashtriya Praja Congress who got his Glass Tumbler symbol will have this changed to gas cylinder. Similar is the situation happening all over the state where several independent contestants or others who got allotment of Glass Tumbler symbol are getting their symbol withdrawn and new symbol is being allotted to them as per norms of ECI.

JS Leader Says Mudragada Is Arrogant

Visakhapatnam: Jana Sena state general secretary Tammireddy Sivashankar on Wednesday objected to Kapu leader Mudragada Padmanabhams comments against JS chief Pawan Kalyan. Addressing a press conference at the Jana Sena Party headquarters in Mangalagiri, Sivashankar said Mudragada's comments are indicative of the latters arrogance. The JS leader questioned what steps Mudragada has taken for the advancement of Kapus. He pointed out that Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has clearly said reservations for Kapus is impossible under any circumstances. Mudragada must now clarify how Jagan could do justice for Kapus, Sivashankar asked.

Tollywood Fans Turn Campaigners in AP Elections

Visakhapatnam: Political arena in Andhra Pradesh is witnessing a novel trend in the run-up to 2024 elections with those from the film field entering the scene. Gone are the days when debates over box office collections and movie reviews dominated discussions among fans of Tollywood heroes and heroines. Instead, these fans are now integral players in political campaigns. Leaders with the film field as their background are too happy to tap into their fan following to secure crucial votes. Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan, in particular, is leveraging his substantial fan base. This has seen a surge in the numbers of those campaigning for him, with his fans plunging into politics in support of their star. Heroes like Varun Tej and even legendary Mega Star Chiranjeevi have stepped in to support Pawan Kalyan's campaign efforts in the Pithapuram assembly constituency. Additionally, actors from popular television show Jabardast are trying to mould the opinion in favour of Pawan Kalyan. Actress Khushboo is endorsing candidates like Kothapalli Geeta in Araku. Visakhapatnam MP candidate Botsa Jhansi made headlines by campaigning alongside fans of the late Krishna and his son Mahesh Babu on Wednesday, showcasing the fusion of entertainment and politics when it comes to the electoral landscape.

Son Campaigning Against Dy. CM Budi Mutyala Naidu

Visakhapatnam: Budi Ravi Kumar, son of Deputy Chief Minister Budi Mutyala Naidu, has launched a campaign against his father on both social media and via hoardings scattered in the Madugula constituency. The posts on social media and posters around villages in the constituency proclaim, He who cannot do justice to his eldest son... how can he do justice to people? The backdrop for this development is a complex family dynamic. Ravi Kumar is the son of Budi Mutyala Naidu and his first wife Ramanamma. Ravi is contesting from Madugula as an independent candidate, while Anuradha, daughter of Budi Mutyala Naidu's second wife, is the ruling YSRC nominee. According to reports, the Deputy CM lobbied for Anuradha's candidacy after YSRCP leadership wanted him to contest from the Anakapalli parliament seat. According to sources, the BJP candidate from Anakapalli seat CM. Ramesh has encouraged Ravi Kumar to contest as an independent candidate, so that the latter would undermine the prospects of his father Budi Mutyala Naidu in the Anakapalli LS seat. Some people are responding with laughing emojis to Ravis social media posts. Others question implications of a father-son rift on the public opinion.

Heat Wave Sweeps Five Places

Visakhapatnam: Jangamaheswarapuram in Palnadu district and Rentachintala in Guntur district became hottest places in India registering a temperature of 46.2 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. This was 4.5 notches above the maximum normal temperature. According to IMD report, the maximum temperature has breached 46 degree Celsius for the first time in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday. The report said Tirupati recorded the second hottest in the state at 45.6C (5.2 notches above normal), followed by Nandyal 45.4C, Nandigama 44.6C, Kurnool 44.5C, Kadapa 44.2C, Anantapur 43.4C, Amaravati 43.2C, Kavali 43.1C and Tuni 41.4C. The minimum temperature also hovered around 28 degrees in many parts of the state intensifying the heat conditions. Lowest temperatures of 34.4 degrees Celsius and 34.9 Degrees Celsius were recorded in Kalingapatnam in Srikakulam district and Visakhapatnam. The weathermen said Tirupati, Jangamaheswarapuram, Kavali, Tuni, Nandyal and Argoyavaram experienced heat wave conditions on Wednesday while the remaining parts of the state experienced hot and humid weather conditions. Severe heat waves will sweep across Rayalaseema till May 5 while the remaining parts of the state will experience heat wave conditions till May 5. Referring to the current extreme heat wave conditions in the state, IMD Amaravathi scientist Dr S Karuna Sagar attributed that the extreme heat to a combination of weather patterns which include lack of low pressure in April and anticyclonic flow. The absence of sea breeze entering eastern and peninsular India due to anticyclonic flow is the major reason for the heat wave conditions, he added. Tuni town in Kakinada district in Andhra Pradesh had recorded the highest temperature of 46.4C on June 17, 2023 and Vijayawada recorded the highest temperature of 46C on May 22, 2020 as per the IMD data between 2018 and 2024 (April).

Vote for Congress to fight BJPs privatisation policy, Gidugu urges supporters of Left parties

BJP has been striving to privatise Visakhapatnam Steel Plant putting the lives of thousands of workers at risk, says the Congress Rajahmundry Lok Sabha candidate

Bigg Boss transgender contestant Tamanna challenges Pawan Kalyan in Pithapuram

Visakhapatnam: Tamanna Simhadri, a transgender contestant from Pithapuram assembly segment in Andhra Pradesh aims to transform the town into a national-level spiritual hub besides establishing a Vedic school to provide free education to Brahmin children. As a nominee of Bharatiya Chaitanya Yuvajana Party, Tamanna's candidacy adds intrigue to the political landscape as she challenges formidable opponents like Janasena founder Pawan Kalyan of the NDA and YSR Congress Party's Vanga Geetha in Pithapuram. From modeling to politics, Tamanna became the first transgender to contest in Andhra Pradesh when she unsuccessfully took on TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu's son, Nara Lokesh from Mangalagiri in the 2019 elections. She shot into limelight after gaining entry into the Telugu version of Bigg Boss third season which was telecast on a vernacular TV channel. Why would I need crores of rupees to contest the polls? I don't need helicopters to roam around. I don't distribute money and buy votes. My approach is very simple. I will do a door-to-door campaign. People are respecting me, she replied when asked if she is able to take on the mighty. According to Simhadri's poll affidavit, she has Rs 7.50 lakh movable assets including a few gold ornaments. Her instagram page has over 40,000 followers and she also has Facebook and Youtube accounts with a good number of admirers. If elected, I want to transform Pithapuram as a spiritual hub at the national level. I want to set up a Vedic school and offer free education to Brahmin children, also ensure that the government sanctions 20 acres of land for a spiritual centre, she further said. She would also like to see an irrigation project in the region to be taken up to ensure two crops a year is guaranteed. Also, she promised to strive for financial help to 5000 youth to set up MSME units, through which 25,000 persons will get job get opportunities. Replying to a query, she said though she has a liking for actor-politician and her rival Kalyan, taking him on in the poll battlefield is completely a different narrative.

Doctor kills mom, wife & kids before ending own life in Vijayawada

VIJAYAWADA: A 40-year-old orthopaedic doctor allegedly killed his mother, wife and two children before ending his life at his residence in Gurunanak Colony under Patamata police station limits on Tuesday morning. Police suspect financial problems might be the reason behind orthopaedic surgeons extreme step. The deceased were identified as Darawath Srinivas (40), his wife Usha Rani (36), two children Sailaja (9), Srihan (6) and his mother Ramanamma (65). Srinivass elder brother Durga Prasad is a judge in Hyderabad while his younger sister resides in Visakhapatnam. His father was a retired DSP. The incident came into light on 9 am when the housemaid arrived at the residence and found Srinivas's body hanging near the corridor. She immediately alerted the neighbours and informed to Patamata police. NTR District Commissioner of Police PHD Ramakrishna, DCP Adhiraj Singh Rana and other officials rushed to the spot and inquired about the incident. The clues team, sniffer dog and fingerprints experts collected evidence from the house. The police found Srinivas body at the entrance of house while remaining family member bodies were found inside the house in a pool of blood. Speaking to mediapersons, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Adhiraj Singh Rana said the head of the family Dr Srinivas, used to work in a private hospital and later started a hospital of his own. He took loans from various banks and private financiers. After the hospital ran into losses and incurred huge debts, depressed Srinivas handed over the hospital to another person to reduce the burden. Unable to bear the financial problems, Srinivas took the extreme step. We suspect that he might have killed all his family members with a knife by slitting their throat and later died by suicide. Before the incident, Srinivas put his car keys in the opposite house post box and a paper where his brothers number was written on it, said the DCP. A case has been registered under suspicious death and police seized a knife as well as suicide note from the spot. Srinivas also recorded a voice note in his phone where he explained the reasons behind killing all the four family members and his suicide, said a senior official on the condition of anonymity. It is also learnt that Srinivas was asked to work in the same hospital which he gave lease to another person. Starting a hospital on his own was his dream and he has put in a lot of blood, sweat, and tears for Srija hospital. Unfortunately, it did not work out as he expected. After handing over the hospital maintenance to another person and was allowed to work in the same hospital, he might have felt insulted and could have resorted to extreme steps over depression, said the police.

YSRC Dares Naidu to Say How Much Funds are Needed to Implement TD Manifesto

Former minister and Krishna district YSRC president Perni Venkataramaiah (in picture) came down heavily on Nara Lokesh for comparing the houses given to the poor with bathrooms. Facebook Former minister and Krishna district YSRC president Perni Venkataramaiah (in picture) came down heavily on Nara Lokesh for comparing the houses given to the poor with bathrooms. Facebook Vijayawada: YSRC MLA and former minister Perni Venkataramaiah alias Nani has dared Telugu Desam chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu to state how much money is needed to implement the TD election 2024 manifesto that was released on Tuesday. If Naidu has guts, he must state this, Nani said, and pointed out that the TD-Jana Sena joint manifesto was 90 per cent copy paste from the documents of other political parties. Addressing the media on Tuesday, he asked Naidu, Why did you say you will implement Jagan Mohan Reddy's schemes? Where is the promise of special category status and implementation of bifurcation assurances? There was no mention of these in the manifesto. The former minister dared Naidu to tell how many promises were implemented from your 2014 manifesto. CM Jagan daringly said he implemented 99 per cent promises of the 2019 YSRC manifesto, and is asking votes on the basis of fulfillment of his poll promises. What of you, he asked. Explaining the financial situation of the state, he said that despite all the difficulties, CM Jagan spent `71,000 crore annually for the poor through the welfare schemes. If Chandrababu Naidu is really honest, he should tell us what all of the promises given in the manifesto signed by the three parties in 2014 had been implemented by him. He further asked Naidu, Have you mentioned anything about Kadapa Steel Plant and Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, that you will stop these from being sold? Some 90 per cent of TD's joint manifesto is copied from Jagan's manifesto and the rest 10 per cent copied from the Congress manifesto in Karnataka. This looks funny. Do we need a Chandrababu Naidu to implement Jagan Mohan Reddys schemes, he asked.

Politicians with foreign degrees

PV Midhun Reddy, YSRC Rajampet sitting MP holds an MBA degree in International Business from Schiller International University, London and BE in Mechanical Engineering from Madras University. He won the 2014 LS election against BJP State president Daggubati Purandeshwari from Rajampet. In 2019, he contested from the same constituency and won with a majority against his closest rival DK Satya Prabha of TDP. He is contesting for the third consecutive time from Rajampet YS Avinash Reddy, YSRC A two-time YSRC MP from Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency and Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddys cousin, YS Avinash Reddy has an MBA degree from the University of Worcester in UK. He completed B.Tech from St. Josephs College of Engineering in Chennai. In the last election, Avinash won against C Adinarayana Reddy of TDP with a margin of over 3.80 lakh votes. In the ensuing elections, the incumbent leader is vying for a hat-trick from Kadapa LS seat Dr P Chandra Sekhar, TDP An NRI-turned politician, Pemmasani is making his electoral debut from Guntur Lok Sabha constituency. After completing his MBBS at NTR Medical University of Health Sciences, Chandra Sekhar went to the US and finished PG in Internal Medicine from Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania and became a successful physician. He is also the co-founder of UWorld, an online learning platform, Pemmasani is probably one of the richest politicians in India Nara Lokesh, TDP Touted to be the political heir of former CM and TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu, Lokesh has an MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business and Bachelor of Science with a specialisation in Management Information systems from Carnegie Mellon University. TDPs general secretary, Lokesh has served as a minister in his fathers cabinet. Despite his defeat in 2019, he is contesting for the second consecutive time from Mangalagiri Assembly constituency L srikrishnadevarayulu, TDP Sitting Narasaraopet MP, Krishna Devarayulu graduated from La Trobe University in Australia in Media Studies and also serves as the vice-chairman of Vignan University. He seeks re-election from the same segment on TDP ticket. He defeated Rayapati Sambasiva Rao of TDP with a majority of over 1.53 lakh votes in 2019. Following the denial of the ticket to contest from the same segment in the elections, Krishna Devarayulu quit the YSRC and joined Telugu Desam JC Ashmit Reddy, TDP Son of JC Prabhakar Reddy, Ashmit holds a PG degree in MLit (Marketing) from University of St Andrews, Scotland, UK and a BE in Mechanical Engineering from Anna University, Chennai. His political career began with TDP and he served as Tadipatri councillor. In 2019 elections, Prabhakar Reddy unsuccessfully contested against Kethireddy Pedda Reddy of YSRC from Tadipatri. Now, he is in the fray once again from the same Assembly constituency M Sribharat, TDP Sribharat is contesting for the second consecutive time from Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha constituency on TDP ticket. He holds an undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University, West Lafayette, class of 2010. He also obtained a joint MBA/MA Education degree from Stanford University. Grandson of former MP and educationist MVVS Murthy, he is the president of GITAM (Deemed to be University). He lost the election in 2019 with a narrow margin K Rammohan Naidu, TDP Srikakulam MP Ram Mohan Naidu earned a Bachelors degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University and an MBA from Long Island University in USA. He entered politics in 2012 after the death of his father. In 2014, he contested the elections from Srikakulam Lok Sabha constituency and won with a high margin. Ram Mohan also won in the 2019 elections from the same constituency. Ram Mohan is now vying to secure a hat-trick win

Andhra Pradesh: Over 2,800 candidates in the election race

The Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha constituency has the highest number of candidates with 33, while Rajahmundry has the least with only 12

Chandrababu Naidu, Pawan Kalyan unveil please-all manifesto

VIJAYAWADA: TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan released the Prajagalam Alliance Manifesto in the presence of BJP State in-charge Sidharth Nath Singh at the former CMs residence in Undavalli on Tuesday. The manifesto covered a wide range of issues targeting different sections. Besides the Super Six sops for farmers, women and youth, the parties vowed to implement the BC (Backward Class) Declaration, hike pensions to Rs 4,000 from the existing Rs 3,000, Rs 10,000 honorarium for volunteers, Rs 25 lakh health insurance to every family and to conduct a skill census. Additionally, Naidu promised a better Pay Revision Commission and Interim Relief to government employees. He assured them that the Contributory Pension Scheme will be reviewed. On the capital of the State, the manifesto declared that effective steps would be taken to resume development of Amaravati, which will ensure progress of Navya Andhra Pradesh. With special emphasis on Uttarandhra and Rayalaseema, it was announced that Visakhapatnam will be developed as the financial capital of the State and a High Court bench will be set up in Kurnool. Focus will be laid on industrialisation for the effective development of all the regions. Abolishing the AP Land Titling Act and garbage tax, regulation of electricity charges, and reviewing house tax and free sand policy are some of the other key promises made in the joint manifesto. Besides promising to curb the flow of spurious liquor, the alliance announced that their government will allocate 10% of liquor shops to toddy tappers. Under the Shanmukha Vyooham, JSP chief Pawan Kalyan announced six more promises and asserted that the alliance government will implement all guarantees specified in the manifesto with the support of the NDA government at the Centre. The leaders also promised to generate 20 lakh jobs in the next five years, claiming they know how to create wealth. BC Declaration Special Act to protect BCs Rs 4,000 pension for BCs aged 50 and above Rs 1.50 lakh crore to be spent through BC sub-plan in five years Rs 10,000 crore BC self-employment scheme Rs 5,000 crore for restoration of Aaradhana scheme Capital Development Amaravati to be the sole capital of Andhra Pradesh Develop Visakhapatnam as financial capital High Court Bench at Kurnool Industrial hubs in Uttarandhra & Rayalaseema TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan during the release of manifesto at Undavalli in Vijayawada on Tuesday I Prasant Madugula YSRC distributed Rs 10 with one hand, looted Rs 100 from everyone: Naidu Asked about the resources needed for fulfilling the promises in the manifesto, Naidu recalled that the financial condition of undivided Andhra Pradesh was not good when he took charge as chief minister in 1995. However, he added, by the time he stepped down, the financial condition of the State improved with creation of wealth. Describing skill census as a groundbreaking project, the former chief minister explained, While the caste census has been carried out in various States, the emphasis on skill census represents a fresh and progressive move towards enhanced productivity. The primary goal is to identify individuals with specific skills, enabling them to receive appropriate training for a more promising tomorrow. This well-thought-out strategy is geared towards boosting the efficiency of young people. Besides promising nine hours of uninterrupted power for agriculture and installation of solar pump sets for free, he said the NDA will integrate rooftop solar energy given by the Central government and ensure decentralisation of power generation. The future of the State hangs in the balance. In the form of elections, I have received another chance to put the State on the right track. I appeal to the voters to support the NDA for building a golden Andhra Pradesh and send this psycho CM home, Naidu said. Stating that the entire Telugu community, which was once the most powerful force in the world, is now feeling sorry of the prevailing situation in the State, the TDP chief alleged, Merely to loot the assets of the State, a whopping Rs 13 lakh crore debts were raised, thereby pushing the State into a deep crisis. Further, he said, Insecurity, unrest, murders and suicides are widespread across the State and every family has a debt burden of at least Rs 8 lakh due to rising cost of living and massive tax burden. The ruling YSRC has distributed Rs 10 with one hand and looted Rs 100 from everyone with other. He regretted that the State stands third in the country in farmer suicides and second in atrocities against girls below the age of 18. Education, youth and healthcare To review KG to PG syllabus Mega DSC, release of job calendar every year Rs 10,000 honorarium for volunteers Conduct a skill census Rs 25 L health insurance to every family Generic medical shops in every mandal Free generic medicines for people suffering with non- communicable diseases like BP & diabetes Infrastructure and Agriculture Nine hours free power supply for agriculture To set up price stabilisation fund To extend welfare schemes to tenant farmers by providing ID cards to them To complete Polavaram project and take up interlinking of rivers Welfare of Muslims Pension for Muslim minority from 50 years Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000 monthly honorarium for Imas and Mousans respectively 5,000 financial assistance/month for maintenance of Masjids Rs 1 lakh financial assistance for Haj pilgrimage

Vizag Muslims want representation in Assembly

Visakhapatnam: Ruling YSRC leaders are holding meetings with leaders of the Muslim community in Visakhapatnam as the polling date is fast approaching. Those who are organising the meetings include north Andhra regional coordinator and Rajya Sabha member Y.V. Subba Reddy, Visakha Lok Sabha candidate Botsa Jhansi Lakshmi, Vizag North ruling party candidate K.K. Raju. During their meetings, YSRC leaders are stressing on Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy's commitment to development of Muslims. They point out that the party has given tickets to seven Muslim candidates MD. Khaleel Ahmad in Nellore City, Nisar Ahmad in Madanapalle, Amzath Basha Shah Shaik Bepari in Kadapa, A.M. Imtiaz in Kurnool, Kadiris Maqbool Ahmad, Shaik Asif in Vijayawada West, and Shaik Noori Fatima in Guntur East. However, Muslim community leaders in Visakhapatnam have been forthright in pointing out that after Rahman, no other Muslim candidate has been given an MLA ticket from Vizag. They point out that the political contribution of Muslim community in Visakhapatnam-I have been significant. Authorities constituted the assembly constituency in 1967. But it ceased to exist in 2008. The constituency saw two Muslim candidates emerging victorious. In 1972, M. R. Deen won as MLA member in the Indian National Congress ticket. In 1994, TD candidate Abdul Rehman Sheku emerged victorious with 35,344 votes. He defeated INC candidate Gudivada Gurunandha Rao, who received 32,180 votes.

Summer trains between SMV Bengaluru, Sambalpur and Surat, Brahmapur

Visakhapatnam : To accommodate the extra passengers in summer, special trains will run between SMV Bengaluru-Sambalpur and Surat Brahmapur. Train No. 08321 Sambalpur, the SMV Bengaluru special train, will leave Sambalpur on Thursdays at 6.45 pm on May 9 and 16, reach Duvvada on the next day at 4.55 am and leave at 5 am to reach SMV Bengaluru at 11.30 pm. In the return direction, Train No. 08322 SMV Bengaluru, Sambalpur special train will leave SMV Bengaluru on Saturdays at 1.30 am on May 11 and 18, reach Duvvada at 8.30 pm, and depart at 8.35 pm to reach Sambalpur on the next day at 6.30 am, according to a statement issued by K. Saandeep, senior divisional commercial manager of Waltair Division. These special trains will have stoppages at Bargarh Road, Balangir, Titlagarh, Kesinga, Muniguda, Singapur Road, Rayagada, Parvatipuram, Bobbili, Vizianagaram, Kothavalasa, Pendurthi, Duvvada, Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, Ongole, Gudur, Renigunta, Tirupati, Katpadi, Jolarpettai and Krishnarajapuram. Similarly, Train No. 09069 Surat Brahmapur Special will leave Surat at 2.20 pm on Wednesdays from May 1 to 26 and reach Rayagada at 2 pm. In the return direction, 09070 Brahmapur, Surat special will leave Brahmapur at 10 pm on Thursdays from May 22 to June 27 and reach Surat at 6.30 am on Saturdays. This train will have stoppages at Nandubar, Dharangaon, Jalgaon, Bhusaval, Akola, Wardha, Nagpur, Tumsar Road, Gondia, Durg, Raipur, Mahasamund, Khariar Road, Kantabanji, Titlagarh, Kesinga, Muniguda, Singapur Road, Rayagada, Parvatipuram, Bobbili, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam Road and Palasa.

Visakhapatnam Steel Plant CMD releases annual training calendar

Visakhapatnam Steel Plant CMD releases annual training calendar - The Hindu

Visakhapatnam Steel Plant CMD releases annual training calendar The Hindu

PRSI conducts voter awareness campaigns for students in Visakhapatnam

PRSI conducts voter awareness campaigns for students in Visakhapatnam - The Hindu

PRSI conducts voter awareness campaigns for students in Visakhapatnam The Hindu

33 candidates contesting from Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha constituency, says District Collector

There is a requirement of three ballot units in every polling station and a 20% reserved units; postal ballot voting will be conducted for government employees from May 5

In Visakhapatnam, Man Campaigns For Lok Sabha Elections With Monkey On His Back

Balaji said that his Lok Sabha elections campaign mainly focuses on forest conservation and environmental protection.

Man-eater tiger that killed 6 persons in Chandrapur forest circle captured after 2-month operation

Bengal tigers relax under the shade of a tree inside its enclosure at Indira Gandhi Zoological Park in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. There was a huge rush inside the Zoo, as the entry for children was free due to Forest Week celebrations. Chandrapur: A nine-year-old tiger that had killed six persons in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra in the last two months has been caged, marking the successful culmination of a two-month-long operation to capture the elusive big cat on the prowl which had struck terror in villages. The tiger which managed to throw foresters off his trail with his sharp animal instincts finally took the bait placed inside a cage on Monday night in the Karva-Ballarpur forest area, a senior official said on Tuesday. The tiger had killed four persons in the Central Chanda division and two others in the Chandrapur division in the last two months, the official added. In view of the human-tiger conflict, villagers in the forest area were living in the atmosphere of terror, prompting the Forest Department to set up a team to capture the big cat, said Swetha Boddu, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), Central Chanda division. She said the operation to capture the tiger was going on continuously for the last two months. As the tiger was more cautious, it became difficult to capture him. The team initially faced a tough time, but with persistence and patience, the forest department succeeded in the operation by caging the tiger on Monday night in the Karva-Ballarpur forest area, said Boddu. The caging of the troublesome tiger before the start of the Tendu leaf collection season came as a huge relief for forest department personnel and villagers in the central Chanda division. Further action about the tiger will be taken on directions from senior officials, the DCF said. Another official said troublesome tigers are generally shifted to a zoo in Nagpur and not released in the wild again.

India among top global economies: Nirmala Sitharaman

VISAKHAPATNAM : Union Finance Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, addressed the Viksit Bharat Ambassador (VBA)-Campus Dialogue at GITAM Deemed to be University, Visakhapatnam on Monday. The event aimed to instill a sense of responsibility among citizens towards Indias development, aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat: 140 crore dreams, one purpose. Addressing the gathering, Sitharaman emphasised the significance of cohesive policies, visionary leadership, and efficient administration in driving economic growth and achieving developmental goals. She debunked the notion of automatic growth in GDP, stressing the importance of concerted efforts at macro and micro levels. Referring to Indias economic trajectory, the finance minister disputed claims of a lost decade before 2014 and highlighted progress made under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership despite challenges like the global financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. She underscored the need for proactive measures to combat corruption, enhance skill development, and ensure efficient governance. Regarding economic rankings, Sitharaman asserted that consistent efforts and effective governance have propelled Indias ascent in global rankings, reiterating PM Modis commitment to steering India to the third-largest economy. Responding to recent comments by former Finance Minister P Chidambaram, who said that India becoming the third largest economy was an arithmetic inevitability, irrespective of who is at the helm, Sitharaman questioned why was the countrys ranking in terms of GDP grew up by just two ranks during 2004 to 2014. She also highlighted Indias economic progress, noting that from the 10th rank in 2014, the country has risen to the fifth rank within a decade. The Finance Minister reiterated the PMs objective of aiming for a top-third rank and highlighted the ongoing battle against forces that undermine the nations people. The Finance Minister outlined various government initiatives to empower youth and propel Indias growth trajectory, including the setting up of the Anusandhan Corpus to support innovation and research, schemes to strengthen deep technologies for defence purposes, and allocations for the India Artificial Machine and National Hydrogen Machine. She encouraged students to become Viksit Bharat Ambassadors (VBA) and share positive narratives about Indias progress, stressing the importance of countering negativity and highlighting the contributions of common people in driving Indias growth story. GITAM president and Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha candidate M Sribharat urged students to recognise their significant role in Indias growth and encouraged them to contribute to the economy through innovative and cost-effective projects. GITAM registrar Gunasekaran D, Dayananda Siddavattam, Vice-Chancellor, and KS Rao, Former Union Minister, along with students, were present.

Voting for Naidu means bidding adieu to welfare schemes: Andhra Pradesh CM

VIJAYAWADA : Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday reiterated that the people will lose all the benefits of welfare schemes, if TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu is voted to power. He said: All the welfare schemes will become Govinda Govinda (withdrawn). While addressing election rallies at Chodavaram, P Gannavaram and Ponnur Assembly constituencies, Jagan pointed out after the bifurcation of the State, Hyderabad was supposed to be the joint capital for 10 years, allowing the Andhra Pradesh government to administer the State from there. However, due to Naidus involvement in cash for vote case, Andhra Pradesh lost that as well, he added. He observed that though the people of the State witnessed Visakhapatnams promising future, Naidu overlooked it and proposed to establish the capital elsewhere in Amaravati. People trusted Naidu that he will get Special Category Status to the State, but he compromised on it with the BJP at the Centre. If you vote for Naidu, all the schemes that are now in implementation in the State will be discontinued, he said. Noting that people who believe in Naidu will lose all benefits, he showed the pamphlet of TDPs 2014 promises, which were not fulfilled. He also highlighted the unkept promises of TDP like unemployment dole of Rs 2,000, farm loan waiver of Rs 87,612 crore, Rs 14,205 crore loan waiver for DWCRA groups and others. He said: People voted for Naidu in 2014 trusting that he will keep his promises, but what happened after the elections? Govinda Govinda, Jagan quipped. Naidu ruled as chief minister for 14 years, but can anyone recall even one good thing he had done? Do you remember any of his schemes? he asked the gathering. Highlighting the initiatives taken by his government, Jagan said, I deposited Rs 2.70 lakh crore through DBT without the beneficiaries having to pay any bribes. But what did Naidu do during his regime apart from looting the State. If Naidu pays you money for votes, take it since the money is ours, but everyone should think before voting. If you want to change the future of the poor and continue all the welfare schemes, vote for the fan symbol and make it win all the 175 Assembly seats and 25 MP seats, the YSRC president said. Likening the upcoming elections to the Kurukshetra battle, he said the elections are being fought between the poor and a habitual liar that Naidu is. He failed to fulfil even one of the promises he made, whereas I can confidently say I have accomplished 99% of the promises made in the manifesto. I am fighting against the opposition alliance led by Chandrababu Naidu, his foster son Pawan Kalyan, along with them a party which has a vote bank smaller than NOTA numbers Chandrababus Congress, the CM said. Naidu is desperate to defeat the YSRC since the government has disbursed benefits to all sections of society and provided welfare measures like supporting 53 lakh mothers to help them send their children to school through the Amma Vodi scheme, Jagan said. We have all seen how Naidu has disregarded the manifesto from 2014. Since he cant claim a single accomplishment, he is hurling abuses at me. He calls me a bacha (child). The bacha is contesting in all constituencies all alone relying on the States progress, Jagan said and ridiculed the Naidu for taking the help of the other parties by striking an alliance with them.

PM Modi's visit deferred, may campaign in Andhra Pradesh on May 7 and 8

VIJAYAWADA : Prime Minister Narendra Modis proposed tour to Andhra Pradesh to campaign for NDA candidates has been postponed. Modi is likely to visit the State on May 7 and 8 as against the earlier proposed dates of May 3 and 4, sources said. According to party leaders, the Prime Ministers Office has given a new schedule and conveyed that Modi cannot visit the State on the earlier proposed dates. However, the constituencies which Modi will tour will be the same. Sources said BJP leaders are planning to hold a public meeting at Vemagiri or some place near Rajamahendravam which will be equidistant from Narasapuram, Kakinada, Eluru, and Amalapuram Lok Sabha constituencies. Party State unit chief Daggubati Purandeswari is contesting from the Rajamahendravaram Lok Sabha segment. Another public meeting is being planned at either Pileru or Kalikiri under Rajampet Lok Sabha limits from where former CM N Kiran Kumar Reddy is contesting. TDP-BJP-JSP manifesto today Joint election manifesto of the TDP-BJP-JSP alliance christened Praja Manifesto will be released at the residence of TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu at Undavalli on Tuesday Shah, Rajnath, Nadda and UP CM Yogi set to campaign in AP Pileru or Kalikiri will be ideal as it will be convenient for mobilising public from Chittoor and Tirupati MP segments too. Another public meeting is likely to be held in Anakapalle to cover Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Araku Lok Sabha constituencies, sources added. A roadshow is planned in Vijayawada city. The party is planning campaigns by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, party national president JP Nadda, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath and others, sources added.

Andhra Pradesh: For them, power and posts, not new

Nara Chandrababu Naidu The TDP supremo and three-time Chief Minister, first assumed office in 1995-1999 after winning from Kuppam. He led the TDP to victory again in 1999, serving until 2004, and later from 2014 to 2019, always representing Kuppam segment. Now, he is contesting from his bastion Kuppam against YSRCs Krishna Raghava Jayendra Bharath Nara Chandrababu Naidu MM Pallam Raju He served as the Union Minister for Human Resources Development from 2012-2014 and held other portfolios. Representing Kakinada, he is a senior leader of the Indian National Congress. Now, he is in the fray from Kakinada Lok Sabha constituency on Congress ticket against JSPs Uday Srinivas and YSRCs Chalamalasetty Sunil Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy The former Chief Minister of the erstwhile undivided Andhra Pradesh contested as an MLA from Pileru constituency earlier. A staunch Congress loyalist, he served as the Chief Whip and Assembly Speaker, before rejoining the party in 2018. In 2023, he shifted allegiance to the BJP. Now, he is contesting from Rajampet Lok Sabha constituency on BJP ticket against sitting YSRC MP PV Midhun Reddy Chinta Mohan He has been associated with the Congress since the 1970s. He was elected to the Lok Sabha six times from Tirupati. He was Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers in PV Narasimha Raos Cabinet in 1990. The six-time MP is once again contesting from the same Lok Sabha seat against BJPs V Varaprasad Rao and M Gurumoorthy of YSRC Daggubati Purandeswari She was a Congress MP in the 14th and 15th Lok Sabha, representing Bapatla and Visakhapatnam. Notable for her tenure as Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development, she joined the BJP in 2014, protesting the bifurcation. Now, she is contesting from Rajahmundry Lok Sabha constituency against YSRCs Guduri Srinivas Y Satyanarayana Chowdary He is a former Union Minister of State for Earth Sciences. Originally belonging to the TDP, he joined the BJP. He served as the Union minister from 2014 to 2018 in the NDA government. Now, backed by the tripartite alliance, he has emerged as the BJP candidate for Vijayawada West Assembly constituency against YSRCs Shaik Asif Y Satyanarayana Chowdary Kotla Surya Prakash Reddy The former Union Minister of State for Railways won from Kurnool Lok Sabha constituency on Congress ticket. Now, he is contesting on TDP ticket from Dhone Assembly constituency against State Finance Minister Buggana Rajendranath of YSRC Nadendla Manohar The former Speaker of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly transitioned to the Jana Sena Party (JSP) in 2018 after serving as a two-time MLA of Congress from Tenali. Notably, he was the last Assembly Speaker of the erstwhile undivided Andhra Pradesh. With his political acumen, he is now the JSP PAC chairman. He is in the election fray from Tenali Assembly segment against Annabathuni Sivakumar of YSRC

CPM, CPI, Congress slam YSRC, BJP, TD for caste-based politics

Vijayawada: Leaders from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), Communist Party of India (CPI), and Congress raised concerns about increased caste-based politics and economic distress under administrations led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister YS Jagan Reddy, and former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu during an election rally in Vijayawada's 24th Division on Monday. At the rally, CPM candidate Ch Baburao, CPI leader KV Bhaskara Rao and Congress leader Misala Rajeswara Rao, criticised rival parties for exploiting caste sentiments to garner votes while neglecting public issues. They pinpointed the struggles of small and middle-class traders, attributing these to the GST, demonetisation, and the COVID-19 pandemic. They also expressed concerns about rising prices in transport and construction, exacerbated by stagnant projects like the capital Amaravati. The YSRC promise to relocate the administrative capital to Visakhapatnam was condemned as a betrayal, they said. The communists said that they are sole opponents of policies like the GST and the dominance of large retail companies. They committed to supporting small and middle-class traders and industries, ensuring a peaceful environment in Vijayawada free from violence.

Election Commission Allots Glass Symbol to TD Rebels

Visakhapatnam: The allotment of Glass symbol for some Independents in the assembly and LS polls in Andhra Pradesh this time is causing a new headache for the TD-JS-BJP alliance leaders. Glass symbol is associated with the Jana Sena, but it remains a free symbol. It can be allotted to any independent candidate in constituencies where the JS has no nominee. This means that in constituencies where the JS is supporting candidates of its alliance partners TD or BJP, an independent can contest on Glass symbol. The deadline for withdrawal of nominations has passed. Meesala Geetha, a former MLA, is running as a rebel candidate for the Vizianagaram assembly seat. Geetha was unhappy when the TD gave the Vizianagaram ticket to Aditi Gajapathi Raju. She filed her nomination as an independent. The Election Commission allotted her the glass symbol. Similarly, independent candidates in Madanapalli, Sringavarapukota, Jaggayyapet, Maidukuru and Vijayawada Lok Sabha seats have also been allotted the Glass symbol. This is a matter of serious worry for the three-party alliance. Many TD rebel candidates and independents have been allotted this symbol in various constituencies. Jana Sena is conteting 21 assembly and two Lok Sabha seats while it is backing the alliance partners TD and BJP in the rest of the 175 assembly and 25 LS constituencies. The election campaigns are in full swing. The glass symbol has been associated with JS since its inception.

Sitharaman Hails BJPs Electoral Vision

Visakhapatnam: Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has expressed her optimism about the BJP securing over 370 seats in the Lok Sabha elections. Addressing students at a private university as part of the 'Vikasit Bharat' programme, she emphasised the crucial role of youth as ambassadors of the nation and highlighted the allocation of funds in the central Budget for fostering innovations. Additionally, she highlighted the export of defence sector products worth Rs 22,000 crore and India's leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) sector. The Viksit Bharat Ambassador Campus Dialogue hosted at a private university on Monday convened over 1,200 students from diverse backgrounds, along with faculty members, entrepreneurs, and professionals from the city. Nirmala Sitharaman urged youths active participation in the people-driven movement towards Viksit Bharat. She stressed the students' potential as catalysts for national transformation. The event commenced with Lok Sabha poll candidate Bharat Mathukumilli giving the welcome address. A member of the core team of the programme introduced the initiative. The minister highlighted India's significant strides towards Viksit Bharat in the past decade. Addressing the students, she inspired them to become Viksit Bharat ambassadors. The ensuing interactive session sparked lively discussions and inquiries about India's economic progress, tax and banking reforms, education budget allocations, etc. An interactive session facilitated a dialogue on enhancing the ease of doing business, promoting entrepreneurship, fostering international trade, and supporting small and medium enterprises, fostering a shared commitment to realizing India's development vision by 2047.

Vizag Cop Suspended for Alleged Torture of Candidate

Visakhapatnam: Inspector of Malkapuram police station Sanyasi Naidu has been suspended with immediate effect following allegations of torture and intimidation of an independent candidate for upcoming general elections. According to the official order, Koyalada Venkata Vara Jagadeesh, who filed his nomination papers as an independent candidate for the West Assembly constituency, was called to the Malkapuram police station for owdy sheeter counselling. The order alleges that Inspector Naidu singled out Jagadeesh and detained him. However, other rowdy sheeters were released after counseling, it said. The order further details claims that Jagadeesh was taken on the first floor of the police station and subjected to torture and threats using abusive language. It alleges that Naidu forced Jagadeesh to withdraw his nomination papers. After being held for over two and a half hours, Jagadeesh reportedly attempted to escape by jumping off the first floor of the police station. The police apprehended him but later handed him over to his family. Jagadeesh reportedly sustained injuries and sought treatment at the King George Hospital (KGH) here. He has also filed a complaint of intimidation against Inspector Naidu. The order states that the decision to suspend Inspector Naidu was taken after careful consideration of available evidences, including video and audio clips, along with a preliminary report.

Gangavaram Port Workers Call for Boycott of Polls

Gangavaram local workers staged a protest at the Adani Gangavaram port gate on Saturday demanding a solution to their problems. (Twitter) Gangavaram local workers staged a protest at the Adani Gangavaram port gate on Saturday demanding a solution to their problems. (Twitter) Visakhapatnam: Fishermen and workers at the Gangavaram port on Monday called for a boycott of the upcoming elections after their discussions with the Adani Gangavaram Port Limited (AGPL) over payment of compensation ended in a stalemate. They blamed the port management and district collector for this issue. The union leaders have demanded that they be paid as per the agreement with AGPL or through voluntary retirement at Rs 35 lakh per worker. The commissioner of police A. Ravi Shankar held discussions with the workers twice and requested them to release two vessels containing coking coal owned by Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd. Due to boycott of work at AGPL, the transportation of coking coal was stopped, which is essential for RINL production. These developments highlight the seriousness of the demands of fishermen and port workers. However, CITU union leaders have intervened in this matter and held a general meeting to discuss the election boycott issue. As CPM candidate is contesting from Gajuwaka, CITU may oppose the decision to boycott elections.

Land Titling Act After Natl Consensus: Dharmana

Visakhapatnam: Revenue minister Dharmana Prasada Rao on Monday said that the Land Titling Act would be implemented after a national consensus and blamed the TD and other Opposition parties for misinformation campaign. Addressing a press conference in Srikakulam on Monday, Dharmana clarified misconceptions surrounding the Land Titling Act and responded to criticism leveled against the state government's stance on the issue. He emphasized that the implementation of the Land Titling Act is not solely within the jurisdiction of the state government, but even the central government should give its nod. The minister highlighted the pressure exerted by the Centre on states to adopt this legislation. Reiterating the state government's commitment in implementing the Act once such a consensus is reached, he underscored the government's efforts to benefit farmers through various reforms and the utilization of advanced technology in land surveys. Addressing criticism directed at the government, Minister Dharmana refuted allegations of land grabbing and emphasized Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy's dedication to empowering the poor by distributing land and providing housing leases. He challenged detractors to consider the significant strides made in land distribution during Jagan Mohan Reddy's tenure, dismissing accusations of land grabbing as baseless. It may be recalled that the All India Lawyers' Union state unit, a committee of the Bar Council of Andhra Pradesh and Kurnool District Bar Association filed the petitions in the AP High Court on the ground that the Land Titling Act would result in an increase in property disputes and in violation of some articles of the Constitution. Furthermore, the minister condemned attempts to mislead the public, particularly through false propaganda spread via social media channels. He urged people to seek the truth and cautioned against being swayed by misinformation. In response to accusations regarding the Card 2.0 project, Dharmana clarified its objectives, highlighting its benefits for citizens in streamlining registration processes and ensuring transparency. He criticized attempts to politicize the initiative and called for a focus on its positive impact on governance.

Two Educated Women in Clash for Araku Lok Sabha Seat

Visakhapatnam: Araku, the only Scheduled Tribe constituency in Andhra Pradesh, is set to witness a high-profile battle between two highly educated women leaders in the present elections. Kothapalli Geeta, representing the TD-led alliance, will compete against Chetti Tanuja Rani of the YSRC to clinch the Lok Sabha seat. Geeta, the first college-educated leader from the area, held the role of deputy collector before resigning and winning the 2014 elections. She is now seeking to retain the seat. YSRC nominee Chetti Tanuja Rani is a doctor by profession. She worked as an epidemiologist at the Paderu district hospital and is contesting a poll for the first time. Araku constituency falls under the Alluri Sitarama Raju and Parvathipuram districts and is considered as one of the most- backward areas in Andhra Pradesh. With a total of 15.39 lakh voters, including 7.91 lakh women and 7.47 lakh men, the constituency is said one of the largest Lok Sabha constituencies. YSRC won the seat twice -- in 2014 and 2019. The constituency, with its 90,000 habitations and limited access to healthcare facilities, remains as one of the mos-underdeveloped areas. Absence of specialists doctors in local hospitals forces patients to go to Visakhapatnam. YSRC nominee Chetti Tanuja Rani told Deccan Chronicles that the YSRC has implemented several welfare schemes for the poor and developed the region. YSRC should be re-elected to ensure the continuation of these programmes, she says. Kothapalli Geeta has been a controversial leader. She is facing the ire of adivasis who blame her for supporting the interests of non-tribals and having unholy connections with the mining mafia. The CBI court had convicted her and given her 5 years jail term on a charge of defrauding a national bank for `42 crore but the high court stayed the jail term. Similarly, the state government had issued GO-2 cancelling her Schedule Tribe certificate, but the high court gave her relief and a permission to contest the present polls. However, Geeta's campaign has garnered attention for its unique approach. Women bouncers have been deployed to provide her personal security. Tribals say they are intrigued by the presence of female celebrities in their villages.

Tekkali: Fighting Atchenna a Herculean Task for Duvvada in Tekkali

Visakhapatnam: Internal bickering in the YSRC in Tekkali constituency and the strained relationship the party candidate Duvvada Srinivas has with family members are making his fight against TDs Kinjarapu Atchannaidu very tough. Notably, TD founder NT Rama Rao won this seat in 1994. TDs Atchennaidu lost to Korla Revathipathi of the Congress in 2009 but he bounced back in 2014, defeating Duvvada Srinivas. He retained the seat in a fight against Perada Tilak in 2019. The 2014 victory made him a minister and a key figure in the TD. Subsequently, he became the partys state president. Atchennaidu and his nephew Kinjarapu Rama Mohan Naidu, who also won the Srikakulam Lok Sabha seat twice, hold the fort for the Telugu Desam in Srikakulam district after the party lost all the segments in the neighbouring Vizianagaram district. Bendalam Ashok is another TD leader who won twice from Ichapuram. Atchennaidu was elected as MLA from Harichandrapuram constituency for three consecutive terms in the 1996 by-election as also in 1999 and 2004. Following the reorganization and dissolution of the Harishchandrapuram constituency, Atchennaidu lost the 2009 elections in Tekkali. He also lost the immediate by-poll that year, which occurred due to the death of the MLA, Korla Revathipathi. Atchennaidus adversaries within the party attribute his success to sidelining of important leaders and nomination of his own loyalists. He conveniently pushed out Kala Venkata Rao from Etcherla to Cheepurupalli and got nomination to a fresher, N Eswara Rao of the BJP. Similarly, he got nomination to Gondu Shankar, a novice, by ignoring veteran leader Gunda Appala Suryanarayana and his wife Gunda Lakhmi for Srikakulam assembly seat. In Pathapatnam, he rejected Kalamata Venkata Rama Murthy, whose father Kalamata Mohan Rao was four-time MLA and brought in a new face, Mamidi Givinda Rao. Though Atchennaidu belongs to the Velama community, he could win Tekkali twice. Half of the Tekkali voters are of the Kalinga community while 35 per cent voters are Velama and 10 per cent the fishermen community, said a local leader. On the other hand, Duvvada Srinivas failed to have a grip on the YSRC in the constituency. His own brother and chairman of Kalinga Welfare Corporation Duvvada Srikanth resigned from the party and joined the Telugu Desam recently. Srinivas strained his relationship with his wife Duvvada Vani, is a serious issue. She threatened to file nominations as an independent candidate. She was cajoled by regional coordinator YV Subba Reddy but she remains a dissident. - Total voters- 2,35,649 - Male- 1,17,511 - Female- 18,129 - Third gender- 9