YSRC Banks on 24 Welfare Schemes to Attract Women Voters, TD Makes New Offers

VIJAYAWADA: The YSRC is banking on 24 welfare schemes meant for women to attract them towards the ruling party while the Opposition Telugu Desam is also luring women with several promises in its manifesto this time. Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy's focus on women-centric welfare schemes and his political empowerment initiatives have not only transformed the lives of millions but also fanned support for him among female voters. This makes women a formidable strength for the YSRC. The YSRC government offered flagship and women-centric DBT welfare schemes namely Jagananna Amma Vodi, YSR 'Sunna' Vaddi (SHGs), YSR Pension Kanuka, YSR Cheyutha, YSR Aasara, YSR Kapu Nestam, YSR Netanna Nestam, Jagananna Chedodu, Jagananna Vasati Deevena, Jagananna Vidya Deevena, YSR Rythu Bharosa, YSR Sunna Vaddi Panta Runalu (farmers), input subsidy to farmers, YSR Vahana Mitra, YSR Aarogya Aasara, YSR EBC Nestham, YSR AarogyaSri, YSR Kalyanamasthu/Shadika Thofa, Housing payments (made directly to the beneficiaries) and Jagananna Thodu (loans). Further, the government offered them Non-DBT welfare schemes namely Jagananna Gorumudda, YSR Sampoorna Poshana and Jagananna Vidya Kanuka and House constructions. Women number 2,10,56,137 out of a total of the total 4.14 crore voters in AP. They are the dominant factor in nearly 60 out of the 175 Assembly constituencies including high-voltage Bheemili, Gajuvaka, Mangalagiri, Vizag North and East, Vijayawada West and Central, Guntur West, Tenali, Kakinada city, Bhimavaram, Kadapa, Nandyal etc. YSRC leaders stated that in the past five years, under the leadership of Jagan Mohan Reddy, women have emerged as the primary beneficiaries of life-changing welfare schemes. From the transformative Jagananna Amma Vodi, providing financial assistance to mothers for their children's education, to the inclusive YSR Cheyutha, offering support to women from marginalised communities, the YSRC government's commitment to women's welfare has been unwavering, they claimed. They said the YSRC government, through its 24 women-centric welfare schemes, has given financial assistance of over Rs 2.83 lakh crore (DBT + Non DBT) to women in the last five years. Under Jagananna Amma Vodi, 44,48,865 beneficiaries received Rs 26,067 crore, under YSR Cheyutha, 26,98,931 beneficiaries received Rs 19,189 crore, under YSR Aasara, 1,94,169 beneficiaries received RS 25,570 crore, under YSR Sunna Vaddi (SHG), 1,05,13,365 beneficiaries received Rs 4,969 crore apart from housing sites. As many as 31,19,00 beneficiaries received house sites worth Rs 77,975 crore. The CM increased Amma Vodi's amount to Rs 17,000 and improved the other welfare schemes in the Navaratnalu Plus manifesto. This, the party leaders claimed, is another boost to women power. On the other hand, the TD - Jana Sena alliance is offering three free cooking gas cylinders to every house per annum, free RTC bus travel, a monthly pension of Rs 1500 under Maha Sakthi for women of 19-59 years, Rs 15,000 on the lines of Amma Vodi under Thalliki Vandanam, interest-free loans to Dwcra women etc. Every leader of TD including party chief Chandrababu Naidu is extolling its women-centric welfare schemes under the Super Six manifesto and trying to get womens support for the party in the present elections.

AP EAMCET 2024 Allows Exam Slot Change for Overlapping Competitive Tests Dates

Attention, AP EAMCET 2024 candidates! If your exam date coincides with other competitive exams, fret not. Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada, offers you the flexibility to change your AP EAMCET exam slot. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to request a slot change.

Andhra Assembly polls: Tough battle for Pawan Kalyan in Pithapuram

Amaravati: In search of his maiden electoral victory, Jana Sena Party leader and actor Pawan Kalyan faces a tough fight against seasoned politician Vanga Geetha of the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) in Pithapuram Assembly constituency in Andhra Pradesh. The constituency in Kakinada district is expected to see a fierce battle for supremacy as YSRCP 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 .

Heavy rains, gales lash several parts of Andhra Pradesh

VIJAYAWADA: Heavy rains lashed the Godavari delta region and other parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh, bringing much-needed relief from the scorching summer. The temperature had been soaring above 45 degrees Celsius at a few places over the past couple of weeks, and Tuesdays rains brought down the heat levels. The highest rainfall of 12.45 cm was recorded at Vemagiri in East Godavari district, followed by 12.05 cm in Mandapeta of Konaseema district, 9.2 cm in Rajamahendravaram city, and 7.3 cm in Nuzvid of Eluru district. There were unconfirmed reports of two deaths across the State due to lightning strikes. In Rajamahendravaram, low-lying areas were waterlogged due to rainwater overflowing on the roads, causing traffic jams in different parts of the city. Vehicular traffic was affected at Kambala tank, railway station road, Ademma Dibba, Innispet, Kotagummam, Tummalava, Syamala Center, Sitammapet, and Aryapram areas. In Kakinada and Amalapuram districts, the heavy downpour, which lasted for around 30 minutes, brought much-needed relief from the sweltering heat. But at the same time, it brought agony to orchard farmers, particularly mango and cashew nut growers, as heavy gale winds resulted in fruit drops at several places. The same was the case in Nuzvid of Eluru district, where mango farmers suffered due to unseasonal heavy rains. In Kakinada, when a bolt of lightning struck an apartment, people had a narrow escape. However, several household utensils were rendered useless. A similar situation prevailed across the NTR and Krishna districts. In Vijayawada, it was overcast sky conditions most of the day, and in the evening, there were brief bouts of drizzle in the city and a brief spell of heavy rains on the city outskirts. Rainfall brought much-needed relief from the scorching heat in the north coastal districts on Tuesday. Thunderstorms, accompanied by lightning, affected several parts of Visakhapatnam, Anakapalle, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, and Alluri Sitarama Raju districts since Monday night. Rainfall and gusty winds were observed in many areas of Visakhapatnam and its outskirts on Tuesday morning, providing respite from the heat. The mild climate persisted throughout the day, while trees were uprooted in some areas in Butchayyapeta of Anakapalli district. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted heavy rainfall at isolated places across the State and thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 Kmph likely at isolated places across the State on Wednesday. Thunderstorm activity in isolated places across the state is also likely for the subsequent three days. The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA), in its daily report, stated that 12 mandals reported heatwave conditions on Tuesday, and one mandal is likely to experience a heatwave on Wednesday. Laddagiri of Kurnool district recorded the highest daytime temperature of 43.4 degrees Celsius, followed by Yendrapalle in Prakasam district with 43.2 degrees Celsius. Thunderstorm activity in parts of State in next 3 days The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted heavy rainfall at isolated places across the State and thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 Kmph likely at isolated places across the State on Wednesday. Thunderstorm activity in isolated places across the state is also likely for the subsequent three days

Mummidivaram MLA faces harsh questions from villagers during election campaign

Kakinada: Mummidivaram MLA Ponnada Venkata Satish, contesting again from the constituency on behalf of the YSRC, is facing many awkward moments as he visits the villages for election campaigning. While RTI activist PV Bhadra Rao is posing questions through public letters about his alleged misdeeds, the people in some of the villages are confronting him with many questions. They are asking him why he is visiting the villages now, after neglecting them for the past five years. They say he has no right to seek their votes again, as he had not fulfilled any of the promises. RTI Activist Bhadra Rao raised several objections before the Returning Officer and requested him to disqualify his nomination during the Scrutiny. But, citing technical reasons, he allowed the nomination of the YSRC candidate. However, Bhadra Rao approached the AP High Court by filing a PIL, seeking disqualification of the MLAs nomination. He said the MLA has hidden his businesses and aqua ponds, which were converted from agriculture to non-agriculture and other requirements. The activist also said that while acquiring land under land pooling schemes for allotment of house sites for the poor, they have been allotted lands that are not suitable for the construction. Posing questions through the letters, Bhadra Rao said that the MLA failed to get compensation to the fishermen from the ONGC for its seismic surveys. Due to the inability of the MLA, the fishermen lost their livelihood. Meanwhile, in many villages, the people questioned him as to what he could do for the past five years. They alleged that the MLA could not develop the villages and create infrastructure facilities like drainages, water pipelines, roads etc. They asked him why he came to their village again to beg for their votes. In a frustrated mood, the MLA and his followers told the people that if they wanted to cast their votes, they could, otherwise they need not cast their vote for him. Satish won the elections in 2009 and 2019. Such circumstances are used by the Telugu Desam candidate, former MLA Datla Subba Raju and TD cadres, to get the villagers support for the TD.

Pawan Kalyan faces tough battle despite his cult following among youth

PITHAPURAM : Puruhutika Puram, which later became Peetikapuram, and now called as Pithapuram, located in the heart of East Godavari district, finds itself a prominent place on the pilgrim map of Andhra Pradesh as well the country. The Kukkuteswara Swamy temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, Puruhutika Devi temple, one of Ashta Dasa Shakti Peethas, and the Sripada Srivallabha temple attract devotees in good numbers. Andhra Pradesh LS polls: Pawan Kalyan to sound poll bugle from Pithapuram It, however, was not a big name on the political map of AP. A small Assembly constituency with less than 2.3 lakh electorate, the ballot battle of Pithapuram has now grabbed the entire nations attention. The 2024 election scheduled in less than a week now, is a different one. Now, Pithapuram has joined the likes of big battle constituencies of Kuppam, Pulivendula and Mangalagiri thanks to Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan contesting from the segment. Having lost the last elections from two places, the actor-politician with a cult following is focussing on making it to the State Assembly from Pithapuram, while the ruling YSRC wants to stop the vitriolic leader from being a thorn in their flesh in the legislative body. Here, the factor that decides the winnability of a candidate is caste rather than development. Among the several segments where the Kapu community holds a sway, Pithapuram is one. Consisting of more than 60% of the total population, a leader from the Kapu community has won the seat 12 of the total 16 times that it went to elections. In 2014, SVSN Varma, who belongs to Kshatriya community, won the election. As candidates of both the YSRC and the TDP-JSP-BJP alliance belong to the Kapu community, there is a possibility of split in votes of the community making the votes of other communities equally important for win. The YSRC has fielded sitting Kakinada MP Vanga Geetha from Pithapuram. Incidentally, Geetha won from the same segment in the 2009 elections from Praja Rajyam Party floated by Pawan Kalyans brother Konidela Chiranjeevi. Though a popular film star is in the fray, the contest is unlikely to be a one-sided one. It is not going to be an easy win for Pawan Kalyan. Unlike other communities, Kapus stand divided on political affiliation and this may turn the tide in favour of Geetha, opined S Satyanarayana, a rickshaw puller of Indira Nagar. TNIE visited the constituency and interacted with the local people to solicit views on who stands a good chance to win. Apart from local issues, the fishermen community have their own set of problems, and is likely to rally behind the alliance. Though we have been receiving Matsyakara Bharosa, the State government has not come forward to pay ex gratia for the fishermen who die at sea. They want the body as a proof to pay ex gratia, but how can we get it when people drown at sea? questioned a fisherman. While people choose to talk about the issues, there is a section, particularly youngsters, who have no other choice than their favourite star. When TNIE visited Uppada in U Kothapalli mandal on Sunday, groups of JSP activists from Anantapur and Machilipatnam visited the fishermens village to campaign for the JSP. We (the entire village) have decided to vote for Glass Tumbler. It is better for you to go and campaign in other places. Come back when our leader wins and we will celebrate, Patri Durga Rao, a young fisherman, to the JSP activists. This scenario, however, may not give an edge to the JSP. The working class and those who have benefited still vouch for the YSRC. We are living in the house, which was constructed with the government aid during the YS Rajasekhara Reddy government. After that, no government had helped the poor until YS Jagan Mohan Reddy became the Chief Minister. We are getting all the social welfare benefits now, said Srimanthula Sattibabu, a rickshaw puller. When pointed out that the tripartite alliance has promised more benefits and financial aid apart from development and employment opportunities, his fellow worker Raju was quick to add, We dont believe its promise. The TDP had promised much more doles in 2019, but it failed to fulfil them. When it comes to resolving the peoples problems, Raju said the major issue was lack of a Road Over Bridge (ROB) over the railway track that traverses through Pithapuram. Being a busy line connecting Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam, a good number of trains pass through and the vehicular traffic comes to a standstill whenever the railway gate is closed. It is sitting MP Geetha who has taken the initiative to resolve the problem as Pithapuram come under the purview of Kakinada. She has got funds sanctioned for the flyover. The land has also been acquired for it. If elections are not there, the flyover works would have started by now, Raju added. Another interesting factor on which Pawan Kalyans victory depends is the support being given by former MLA Varma, who at one stage revolted against the TDP leadership for allotting the seat to the JSP as part of alliance. Varma is campaigning for Pawan Kalyan, but how serious is he in extension of support is still doubtful. Will any leader hand over his constituency to another? questioned another local when asked about the former MLAs support to the JSP. For the JSP, the candidature of Pawan Kalyan from Pithapuram itself is an asset. Our leader suffered defeat at two places in the last elections. We wont let him down this time and he is set to enter the State Assembly, asserted a youth. N Krishnaveni of Chitti Karnala Street in Pithapuram, who works in a library, is different when it comes to casting her vote. She has nothing to do with whom she is voting, and which party it is. My two sons and my husband are supporters of Pawan Kalyan, and I will follow them, she said with a smile. Tummala Ramaswamy (Babu), JSP president of the erstwhile undivided East Godavari district, exuded confidence of Pawan Kalyans victory. Every section of people has suffered in Jagans regime. They are not going to vote for the YSRC in the elections, he asserted Not just Pawan Kalyan, our joint manifesto will ensure that NDA wins not less than five Assembly seats each in Kakinada, East Godavari and Konaseema districts. Lack of ROB causes traffic problem The major issue in Pithapuram Assembly constituency is lack of a Road Over Bridge (ROB) on the railway track that traverses through it. Being a busy railway line connecting Vijayawada and Vizag, a good number of trains pass through the town and the vehicular traffic comes to a standstill whenever the railway gate is closed

Used an air ambulance service in India: Things could have been better

BHPian BlackBeard recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Hello Everybody, This is to narrate my experience of utilizing the services of an Air Ambulance in India. The trip was from CCU to MAA. In 2022, a family member was diagnosed with a brain tumor, the MRI scan showed it to be sizeable and on a 2nd opinion from a known surgeon in Chennai, he recommended immediate surgery. As the patient was stretcher bound we looked for commercial flight options. Apparently, only Indigo & Air India transport stretcher-bound patients by air. To obtain the necessary permissions and get a slot on a flight (3 rows of seats have to be removed i.e 9 Pax. to accommodate a stretcher) is very time-consuming (Minimum 3-7 days) & depending on the passenger traffic in that particular sector further delays can occur, no doubt it's cheaper than the air ambulance. We decided the faster & better option would be to take an Air Ambulance. I searched the internet for options (Most air ambulance operators are located in Mumbai or New Delhi) & asked around a few friends and the hospital itself & got a few leads. After shortlisting a few operators I sent enquiries regarding the charges for the transportation, type of aircraft, facilities provided, how many support staff & family members were allowed to accompany the patient, etc. Since time was of the essence we shortlisted an air ambulance service provider based out in Mumbai. The aircraft assigned to us was a 6 seater Beechcraft Kingair C90 of 1980s/1990s vintage LMW Coimbatore was an ex-owner. Full payment was taken upfront and further details were shared only after that. 1 doctor, 1 nurse/technician & some medical eqpt. were provided (Ventilator, multipara monitor, defibrillator, suction machine, Oxygen etc). We thankfully did not need any of the eqpt. 2 family members were allowed on board the flight. We were told ETA of the aircraft at CCU was 1900 Hrs. The Ambulance arrived late at the hospital to pick us up. The journey from the hospital to the airport was by ambulance paid for by us and arranged by them (the vehicle was a Tata Winger). The driver was a slightly better version of the Ola/Uber chaps we use, sudden braking and all over the road (luckily the patient's stretcher was strapped down, myself & another family member was all over the place. I guess in India the concept of giving emergency vehicles the right of way is still alien to most people on the road. Once we reached the airport, we dropped off the lady passenger at the domestic departure terminal for boarding formalities and alighted the ambulance waiting for the AAI ambulance to take us to the Apron. The patient's stretcher was offloaded on the tarmac. There is something fundamentally wrong with us Indians, the absolute lack of empathy or conducting ourselves in a dignified manner. Making an 80-year-old man awaiting a medevac lie in a stretcher on the tarmac of a busy airport is absolutely ok. A nut case like me who loses his top at the drop of a hat had to grit his teeth and bear with it. I initially objected to the 1st ambulance departing till the 2nd arrived but that is all I could do. The AAI ambulance (A noisy beat-up Swaraj Mazda) arrived after a while and then we proceeded to the old airport terminal and took a side gate to enter the cargo terminal where a security check was conducted on the patient too before letting us proceed to the apron. We were joined by the lady passenger over there and again the patient was offloaded on the tarmac and the AAI ambulance left. We waited on the tarmac for some time before the stretcher was loaded onto the aircraft. The King Air C90 is designed to carry 6 Pax. & 2 crew and has a very narrow fuselage and a single door in the rear & very cramped inside. The stretcher had to be manoeuvred delicately to take it in and 2 seats had been removed to make place for the stretcher & secure it. We were supposed to depart at 2000 but managed finally at 2200 Hrs including the delays on the road and at the airport. The flying time was supposed to be 4.5 Hrs, with 1 re-fueling halt in Kakinada which was later changed to Vizag due to adverse weather. I thought the ordeal was over now that we were airborne, till the aircraft landed in Vizag. I was under the impression that the refueling would be a fast process, however, we waited for an hour for the tanker to arrive. All the while power on the aircraft was switched off the door was open and all of us except 2 people alighted to stretch our legs. I peeped inside the aircraft to check on the 2 people inside from time to time the heat and mosquitoes were terrible. By the time we tanked up and were ready to depart it was 2 hours plus. I even heard the pilot tell the refueller jaldi karo patient andar hai...so much so for this being a medevac flight. We finally took off and landed in MAA around 0430, 4 hours after the scheduled ETA. The hospital ambulance was waiting at the Apron of the business aviation terminal, we transferred the patient to the ambulance and were on our way to the hospital. The Air Ambulance service provider did provide agents to assist us at the CCU airport and were in contact via WhatsApp. IMO the entire process could have been smoother. The aircraft certainly could have been better but I do not know if this is a regulated sector in India, on what basis are the prices decided? Who decides them? Who certifies them? Does anybody have any similar experience? Would like to know their opinion about it. Before anybody asks, NO photos/videos were taken given the sombre situation. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Interview: YSRCP's C Sunil on Kakinada's infra and port economy - South First

Interview: YSRCP's C Sunil on Kakinada's infra and port economy South First

AICC observer hopes comeback in Andhra Pradesh with Manoj Chauhan

VIJAYAWADA: AICC election observer for Andhra Pradesh Manoj Chauhan, who has been touring the State for the last 39 days, exudes confidence in the Congress party making a mark in the 2024 elections in Andhra Pradesh and emerging as the only peoples friendly party. In an interview with S Guru Srikanth, Manoj Chauhan said the vote share of the party will increase considerably. It is less than a week until the elections to be held in the State. How bright are the chances of Congress in Andhra Pradesh? Absolutely good chances. In the 2019 elections, our partys vote share was less than 2%, to be exact it was 1.7%. But, today it has increased to 10% and above. Since my visit to Andhra Pradesh at the end of March I have been covering various places across the State. There is an increasing feeling that Congress is better than other political parties. You mean to say the Congress party is making a comeback? Yes. It is being revived. We have an absolutely good chance in Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency and the party is also faring well in Tirupati, Kakinada, Rajamahendravaram, Bapatla, Nellore, and a few more seats. As regards to Assembly constituencies, we have a fair chance in 35 Assembly constituencies. Whom do you give the credit for the revival? Rahul Gandhi and the Congress Partys five NyayYuva Nyay, Nari Nyay, Sharmik Nyay, Kisan Nyay, and Bhagidhari Nyay. Also the 25 guarantees. Ours is the only party, which has promised the Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh and made it part of the manifesto. No other party has done it. Further, we have a track record of implementing the promises made, as evident in Karnataka, Telangana, and other places. How do you see the other parties contending for power in the State? As you said, it is a contention for power. Be it NDA or YSRC, they are only looking to get power. But Congress wants to serve people. There is a difference. During the election rally in Dharmavaram, Union Home Minister Amit Shah posed a question, who will be the PM candidate of the INDIA alliance? Rahul Gandhi. When will the star campaigners of the Congress party be in the State? From May 7 to 11, a host of Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy, Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar will address election rallies.

Police deny attack on actor Sai Dharam Tej

Kakinada: Kakinada district police have denied reports on social media that film actor Sai Dharam Tej, nephew of Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan, had been attacked at Tatiparthi village in Gollaprolu mandal of Kakinada district. According to the reports, YSRC workers had attacked Sai Dharam Tej with beer bottles, resulting in injuries to a Jana Sena worker, who has been admitted to the government hospital in Pithapuram. Telugu Desam leader and former MLA S.V.S.N. Varma alleged that YSRC had organised the attack fearing defeat at the hands of the NDA alliance. However, Kakinada DSP K. Hanumantha Rao told media here on Monday that there is no connection with the incident and film hero Sai Dharam Tej. The DSP clarified that Sai Dharam Tej left his vehicle on outskirts of the village and went in for campaigning. At the time, an unknown object had been hurled by a YSRC worker, which hit a bystander of the village Nalla Sridhar. He sustained a mild head injury and has been discharged on Monday after treatment. Hanumantha Rao clarified that no bottles or other objects had been found on the spot. However, police have picked up two YSRC workers and issued them notices under 41A. Gollaprolu police have registered a case, the DSP added.

Lokesh expects flood of investments into AP within 100 days

Kakinada: Telugu Desam national general secretary Nara Lokesh said in a months time, Andhra Pradesh will get rid of the YSRC government, heralding good times for the state. Addressing a Yuvagalam meeting in Eluru on Sunday evening, he said within 100 days of the NDA alliance coming to power, there will be a flood of investments in Andhra Pradesh. Employment opportunities will be created for youth on a large scale, Lokesh declared. He underlined that corrupt YSRC leaders will be brought to book and lodged in jails, wherever they are. The TD general secretary said YSRC leaders boast of Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy being a lion. But the alliance has two lions in the form of Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan. Our lions will tear apart the single lion, he stated. Lokesh said many colleges have not given the list of marks to students due to non-payment of fee reimbursement from the state government. He said the alliance government will take steps to immediately release the marks lists of such students on a one-time settlement basis.

Modi to Address Public Meeting in AP Today

Vijayawada: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a public meeting in Rajahmundry on Monday from 3:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. He will arrive at the Rajahmundry Airport by an IAF aircraft from Jagadalpur in Chattisgarh. From Rajahmundry Airport he will reach Vemagiri to address a public meeting. TD national general secretary N. Lokesh and AP BJP chief, Rajahmundry Lok Sabha nominee D. Purandeswari, and NDA Lok Sabha nominees from Amalapuram, Kakinada, Eluru, Narasapuram and Rajahmundry and nominees from seven assembly segments falling under the Rajahmundry Lok Sabha segment will attend the PMs public meeting. Post the Rajahmundry public meeting, Narendra Modi will proceed to Anakapalli to address another public meeting between 4:00 pm and 6:00 p.m. Telugu Desam chief N. Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena leader Nagababu will attend this meeting, apart from NDA nominees from Anakapalli Lok Sabha and assembly segments within its purview.

Pawan Slams Ambati for Ignoring Execution of Polavaram Works

Vijayawada: Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan has slammed water resources minister Ambati Rambabu for dancing around without listing the steps to complete the Polavaram irrigation project. Addressing a public meeting titled Varahi Vijayabheri at Ponnur in Guntur district on Sunday, he alleged that the minister was not taking any responsibility with regard to the project even as 1.60 lakh project affected people were facing hardships. He expressed concern over the digging up of a helipad area meant for the landing of his helicopter at Ponnuru and alleged that the YSR Congress supporters were doing so. Had we failed to notice this, it could have turned into a major disaster and deaths. Those who did will be taken to task once the opposition alliance wins power in the state, he said. Turning down the criticism from chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy that he was a non-local candidate for the Pitapuram assembly segment, PK said, I was born in Bapatla and was brought up in Palnadu, Ongole, Nellore etc as my father used to work in government service and was getting transferred. I carry with me the strong flavour of the red chilli of Guntur. and added that he was man having the strong flavour of the red chili of Guntur. Claiming that he was the first to underscore the need to avoid a split of the anti-YSR Congress vote, he called upon YSRC supporters to instead back the Alliance and ensure a bright future for the five crore people in the state. He said, Our priority is education, employment, health, drinking water and water for irrigation, and maintenance of law and order once we are elected to power. He turned critical of the YSR Congress government for the failure to implement its poll promise of liquor prohibition in a phased manner. Instead, it is supplying sub-standard liquor through state outlets, affecting the health of the consumers. Alleging that the YSRC MLA from Kakinada city, Dwarampudi Chandrasekhar Reddy, was involved in diversion of ration rice and its export to Africa, he warned of action against him once the Alliance wins power in AP. Referring to the clarification being given on the AP Land Titling Act to dispel misconceptions, by chief minister Jagan Reddy, he asked as to why his government issued a GO even as the Centre sent a draft copy to it for feedback. In a public meeting at Tuni later in the day, PK reiterated the assurance to conduct a mega DSC, release of the job calendar and resolving the issue of CPS in a year. He listed out a series of welfare schemes and assured the people to take up a lot of developmental works once we are in power. He alleged that CM Jagan Reddy and minister Dadisetti Raja were involved in a mafia-like loot in relation to extraction of soil, sand etc while other ministers were also earning thousands of crores of rupees. I would work for communal and social harmony and would never encourage caste conflicts. I want people belonging to all castes and communities to enjoy welfare benefits, the JS leader said. Kapu leader Mudragada Padmabhams daughter Kranthi and son-in-law Chandu expressed their intent to join the Jana Sena. Pawan Kalyan welcomed their urge and promised to take them into the party fold after he visited their house to meet Padmanabham and convince him too to join the JS. He said that he would never cause any difference in the family. Whatever be the abuses hurled at him, he would accept these as an exhortation from the elderly person.

Kakinada SEB cracks down on illicit liquor: Over 600 arrested

The enforcement efforts targeted various aspects of the illegal liquor trade. Arrack: SEB officials seized 6,997 liters of locally-brewed arrack and destroyed 2,65,600 liters of jaggery juice, a common source material for arrack production

MRPL registers net profit of Rs 3,596 cr in FY 23-24

MANGALURU: Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) has earned a net profit of Rs 3,596 crore during FY 2023-24, up by Rs 2,638 crore profit in FY 2022-23. The board of directors of MRPL, a subsidiary company of ONGC and Schedule A Mini Ratna Category I Company, during its 262nd meeting held on May 3, approved its Standalone and Consolidated Audited Financial Results for the fourth quarter (Q4 FY 2023-24) and year (FY 2023-24) ended March 31, 2024. In 2023-24, the company earned a revenue of Rs 1,05,223 crore from operations (Rs 1,24,736 Crore in FY 2022-23) and a profit before tax of Rs 5,521 Crore (Rs 4,239 Crore in FY 2022-23). The gross margin (GRM) was US$ 10.36 per bbl (FY 2022-23 GRM of US$ 9.88 per bbl). Total reduction in interest bearing Long Term Borrowings was Rs 5,058 crore (ie from Rs 14,837 crore as on March 31, 2023 to Rs 9,779 Crore as on March 31, 2024). The Debt Equity Ratio improved from 1.70 as on March 31, 2023 to 0.94 as on March 31, 2024. The major highlights for the fourth quarter (Q4 FY 2023-24) include the highest crude throughput in a Quarter 4.51 MMT (Previous best was 4.42 MMT during Q4 FY 2015-16). The company for the first time processed KGD6 Crude from Ruby FPSO off Kakinada (API-45.50) in the month of February and KG-D98 Crude (API-33.77) from East Godavari block, in March.

Naidu promises to scrap garbage tax, appoint Brahmins as TTD board members

KAKINADA : Former chief minister and Telugu Desam chief N. Chandrababu Naidu has promised to revoke tax on garbage and appoint a member of Brahmin community as member of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Trust Board. He said that 15,000 per month will be given to priests where temples earn 50,000 income. Addressing Prajagalam meetings at Darsi in Prakasam district, Nuzvid in Eluru district and in Kakinada city on Saturday, Chandrababu Naidu showered several sops on people of different communities in Andhra Pradesh. He said a special fund will be created for the welfare of Kapus. He said 10 per cent of liquor shops will be reserved for the Settibalija community. The TD chief lashed out at Kakinada MLA Dwarampudi Chandrasekhara Reddy, describing him as a land grabber who has indulged in several scams. He accused the MLA of drafting an evil design to loot nearly 200 acres of land belonging to Bhoodan Yajna. Naidu said he wants to make Kakinada a Smart City. But the Kakinada MLA has made the city as Ganja City, as many of the youth are addicted to Ganja and other drugs. The former chief minister accused Jagan Mohan Reddy of giving 10 to people but taking away 1,000 from them. He said Nuzvid will be merged into Krishna district after the alliance comes to power. Naidu declared that he will start a golden era with the help of Jana Sena chief and film star Pawan Kalyan.

Over Rs 17 Crore in Gold Seized at Gollaprolu Toll Plaza

Meanwhile, gold fell 0.29 per cent, to USD 1,176.80 an ounce in Singapore. Meanwhile, gold fell 0.29 per cent, to USD 1,176.80 an ounce in Singapore. Kakinada: In a major haul, the Election Static Surveillance Team seized a staggering Rs 17.34 crore worth of gold biscuits and Rs 51.34 lakh worth of silver ornaments near Kakinada on Friday night. The seizure comes just a month after the same Flying Squad apprehended Rs 3 crore in gold from the same vehicle. The team, led by N. Prabhakara Rao, intercepted a vehicle at the Gollaprolu Toll Plaza during routine checks. Upon inspection, they discovered 31.002 kilograms of gold biscuits and 66.919 kilograms of silver ornaments. The driver presented an invoice from Sequel Logistics, but authorities deemed the documentation insufficient. The confiscated valuables were handed over to the Pithapuram mandal tahsildar, K. Lakshmi, for safekeeping in the treasury department. GST officials will now verify the goods and documents to determine if proper taxes were paid. The Returning Officer will then decide further course of action.

AP EAMCET 2024: Correction Window Now Open for Application Forms on @cets.apsche.ap.gov.in

Attention, AP EAMCET 2024 applicants! Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada has initiated the online application correction process for AP EAMCET. If you've made any errors during the application submission, now is your chance to rectify them.

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.

Daughter condemns Mudragadas challenge

KAKINADA: B. Kranthi Bharathi, daughter of YSRC leader Mudragada Padmanabham, who recently pledged to defeat Jana Sena chief and film star Pawan Kalyan, has opposed her fathers statement on Friday. Kranthi Bharathi released a video saying there is nothing wrong on part of her father Mudragada to work for the victory of YSRC candidate Vanga Geetha in Pithapuram assembly constituency against Pawan Kalyan. However, she observed that her fathers challenge to change his name to Padmanabha Reddy if Pawan Kalyan wins from PIthapuram is not right. I do not understand the logic behind my fathers statement, Kranthi maintained. She went on to accuse Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy of using her father to fight against Pawan Kalyan only to sideline him after the elections. This is the first time that a member of Padmanabhams family has come out openly against him in more than four decades of his political life. However, Mudragada has remained unruffled. He went on to say that his daughter had been his property till her marriage. After that, she has become the property of her husband and her in-laws. Kranthi may have made such a statement after her in-laws exerted pressure on her, he maintained. The Kapu leader said his daughters statement will not affect his political stand.

Summer arrangements in place at Tirumala

TIRUPATI : Considering the heavy influx of devotees during the summer vacations, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has made special arrangements to help the pilgrims have hassle-free and peaceful darshan at Tirumala. Speaking at the conference hall in TTD Administrative Building on Friday before taking the calls from pilgrims as part of Dial Your EO programme on Friday, TTD Executive Officer AV Dharma Reddy said that the letters of recommendation for VIP break darshan were cancelled, limiting it to protocol VIPs alone in view of heavy rush. The EO also informed that the arrangements were made to provide food, buttermilk, drinking water, breakfast and medical facilities to the pilgrims waiting in queues and compartments. TTD has decided to erect shades, set up coolers and lay carpets in the temple streets to bring relief to the pilgrims from the scorching heat besides sprinkling the ground with water from time to time, the EO said. Dial Your EO programme Several callers lauded the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) for its efforts in bringing several versatile changes in Darshan and accommodation to reduce the woes of devotees. As part of monthly Dial Your EO programme on Friday, TTD Executive Officer AV Dharma Reddy interacted with nearly 20 callers, including an NRI from Muscat. Thanking the callers for the words of encouragement, the EO said the TTD mandarins and the workforce are always at the helm of pilgrim service. Your words of appreciation will boost our morale and offer services to the multitude of visiting pilgrims with more dedication, he maintained. Answering the callers, the EO said the Srivari Seva online application was introduced to enhance transparency in the bookings and also to provide opportunity to the devotees present across the country to register as Srivari Seva volunteers. A caller from Kakinada sought EO to reprint Kavitraya Mahabharatam, while some others sought arrangements to keep wet clothes while having Varaha Swamy darshan after Pushkarini Snanam etc. The EO said the possibilities of implementation will be verified. A caller sought EO to arrange special darshan for the visually challenged to which he answered that TTD is already providing separate darshan to the handicapped and senior citizens and they can avail darshan facility in that. Another devotee suggested arrangements to avoid congestion beyond Bangaru Vakili to which the Executive Officer replied many permutations and combinations are being tried to avoid the congestion since decades and it is a never-ending issue. We will inspect and check for alternatives, he said. On another query, the EO clarified that maintaining hotels in Tirumala by TTD is not possible. So we have given four Janata Canteens to APTDC fixing prices that are affordable to the devotees, he added. Festivals in May Important festivals lined up in the month of May in Tirumala and other sub-temples of TTD across the State Padmavathi Parinayam Utsavams will be observed in Tirumala from May 17 to 19 Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamamba Jayanti on May 22 in Tirumala Annual Vasantotsavams in Tiruchanoor from May 21 to 23 with the procession of Swarna Ratham on May 22 Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya Jayanti Utsavams on May 23 in Tallapaka and Tirupati Vasantotsavams in Srinivasa Mangapuram from May 27 to 29 with the procession of Swarnaratham on May 28

VHR: If Revanth Reddy Is Arrested, Congress Will Sweep LS Polls in Telangana

Kakinada: Senior Congress leader V. Hanumantha Rao on Friday said that any attempt by Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Union home minister Amit Shah to arrest Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy over Amit Shah's morphed video would result in a sweeping victory for the Congress in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Telangana state. Speaking to the media alongside former Union minister M.M. Pallam Raju, contesting as a candidate for the Kakinada Lok Sabha seat, Rao criticised the BJP for engaging in vindictive politics as it has been implicating opposition party chief ministers like Arvind Kejriwal and Hemant Soren just before elections. Rao issued a direct challenge to Modi, daring him to arrest Revanth Reddy, confident that such an action would only bolster the Congress's electoral prospects. He contrasted Modis alleged vindictiveness with the approach of former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, who used to respect opposition voices and foster a more inclusive political environment. Highlighting the BJP's hypocritical stance on Muslim reservations and the Muslim community, he accused the BJP of threatening to revoke four per cent reservations for Muslims in Telangana while also attempting to court Muslim voters with promises of mosque construction and support for religious leaders. He emphasised that although the manifesto was crafted by the Telugu Desam and Jana Sena parties, the BJP's inclusion in the alliance meant it was equally bound by its contents. Speaking about the Congress manifesto, he said his party;s government plans to increase reservations for Backward Classes and lift the 50 per cent reservation cap, as well as conduct a caste census if the Congress-led coalition comes to power. Pallam Raju criticised Modi for his failure to protect the country's borders in the face of Chinese incursions. He lamented the weakening of democracy in India, and said that the country was increasingly under the grip of dictatorship.

Trouble Brews for JS Candidate Uday

Kakinada: Trouble is brewing for Jana Senas Kakinada Lok Sabha candidate Tangella Uday Srinivas as the YSRC leaders stepped up their efforts to disqualify him from the contest on charges he hid information in the poll affidavit about his criminal cases in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. YSRC leaders moved the Ministry of External Affairs, citing the criminal charges the candidate faced in the UAE. Uday Srinivas is in the eye of a storm. The political rivals say there are many cases pending against him, but he has not declared them in the election affidavit. The candidate is caught in cricket betting and some other cases in Sharjah. There is also a controversy over his educational qualification, they say. Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan introduced Uday Srinivas as a software engineer to the people of Kakinada Lok Sabha. But Uday Srinivas stated in his affidavit that he passed Intermediate and discontinued his Bachelor of Technology course. Pawan Kalyan often claims that as a hero, he earns not less than Rs 1,000 crore per annum and therefore there is no need for him to accept any package from anybody. But, in the election affidavit, he stated that his five-year income was only Rs 114 crore. The political opponents say a wide gulf separates Pawan Kalyans claims and his actual earnings. There is no documentary evidence to support his claims. Meanwhile, an independent candidate Saladi Uday Bhaskar raised objections against Uday Srinivas that the latter has hidden some information and facts in his affidavit. According to the objections, the Jana Sena candidate has offered information with regard to FIR No. 0163/2023, registered by Gomti Nagar Police Station, at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, but intentionally avoided giving any details about the criminal cases pending against him in Sharjah and also about a look-out notice issued by the Sharjah Public Prosecution on 4 April 2024. The date of birth of Uday Srinivas was mentioned as 13 May 1985 and his Indian Passport No.V7386334. Judge, Hossam EI-Din Hassan Mustafa Muhammad Hadr, Sharjah Federal Court, Civil Execution Court, Ministry of Justice, UAE, has issued seizure and habeas corpus execution order No. SHCEXCICPL2022/007401 on the application of Sheikh Kalid Bin Salem Al Quasmi, UAE national, against executor/Uday Srinivas, carrying Indian Passport No. V7386334, EC has been informed via the complaint. In the order, the Sharjah Federal Court of First Instance decided to arrest and bring the perpetrator and present him to it immediately upon his arrest, provided that he will be released if he pays a sum of 1,200,000 dirhams, unless he is wanted by the police there for another reason. Another allegation is that Uday Srinivas was ordered to undergo an imprisonment of six months for the two charges attributed to him, and also deportation from the country after executing the prescribed punishment and confiscating the forged document and ordering them to pay the due fee. The complaint has appealed to the election officials that the affidavit of Uday Srinivas cant be allowed to be ridiculed by the candidates by offering incomplete information or suppressing material information, resulting in disinformation or misinformation to the voters and the election commission should reject his nomination based on the evidence.

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.

BJP Not in Sync with TD Manifesto

Kakinada : Rajamahendravaram sitting MP Margani Bharat, who is now the YSRC candidate from Rajamahendravaram City assembly constituency, on Wednesday underlined that the NDA alliance manifesto with super six promises has not been accepted by the Bharatiya Janata Party, though it is part of the alliance. Bharat told media in Rajamahendravaram on Wednesday that TD chief N. Chandrababu Naidu has no original thinking and has come up with a hotch-potch manifesto, whose contents have been copied from other parties. He urged people not to believe in the manifesto and vote for YSRC again, so that the state can continue on the path of progress. The YSRC candidate declared that he will be providing employment to 10,000 unemployed youth in Rajamahendravaram city constituency in the coming five years.

RO Says ECI to Decide on Action, if Any, Against JS LS Candidate

Kakinada : District Election Officer J. Nivas said Election Commission will take action against Jana Sena Kakinada Lok Sabha candidate Tangella Udaya Srinivas, if any objections are raised against him. The officers comment came after certain allegations have gone viral on social media against Udaya Srinivas after he has filed nomination. Nivas told Deccan Chronicle that after the scrutiny, an independent candidate Saladi Uday Bhaskar lodged a complaint against the Jana Sena candidate saying the latter has hidden certain details in his affidavit. These relate to criminal cases pending against Udaya Srinivas in Sharjah and the United Arab Emirates. Meanwhile, the Jana Sena candidate told Deccan Chronicle that the complaint against him is false. He said his political opponents have fabricated the documents and posted them on social media.

AP Records Highest Temperature of 46.2 C

Visakhapatnam : in Palnadu district and Rentachintala in Guntur district became hottest places in the country by registering a temperature of 46.2 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. This was 4.5 notches above the maximum normal temperature. According to an IMD report, the maximum temperature has breached 46 degree Celsius for the first time in AP on Wednesday. The report said Tirupati recorded the second hottest temperature 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. Weathermen said Tirupati, Jangamaheswarapuram, Kavali, Tuni, Nandyal and Argoyavaram experienced heatwave conditions on Wednesday while the remaining parts of the state experienced hot and humid weather conditions. Severe heatwaves will sweep across Rayalaseema till May 5 while the remaining parts of the state will experience heatwave conditions till May 5. Referring to the current extreme heatwave conditions in the state, IMD Amaravati scientist Karuna Sagar attributed the extreme heat to a combination of weather patterns that included a lack of low pressure in April and an anticyclonic flow. The absence of sea breeze entering eastern and peninsular India due to anticyclonic flow is the major reason for the heatwave conditions, he added. Tuni town in Kakinada district 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).

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.

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.

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).

Kakinada: Father beats alcoholic son to death while asleep, owing to harassment over property

A harassed father, unable to bear the physical and mental torture day in and day out, over a property affair, has resorted to the extreme action of beating him to death with an iron rod while asleep at his house in the Indrapalem area in Kakinada.

Andhra Pradesh: Glass tumbler allotted to TDP rebels may split opposition votes

VIJAYAWADA: The allotment of Glass Tumbler (Jana Sena Party symbol) to independents is likely to upset the calculations of some leaders, including TDP State president K Atchannaidu, as it may lead to split in Opposition votes. The symbol was allotted to independents or little-known parties in at least 50 Assembly and Parliament constituencies across the State. For instance, in the Konaseema district, all the seven Assembly segments have a candidate with Glass Tumbler symbol. Tension mounted among the NDA alliance candidates as the election officials allotted the Glass Tumbler symbol. The NDA alliance candidates of Vizianagaram and Shrungavarapukota Assembly segments feared losing votes of JSP sympathisers in the ensuing elections. The Vizianagaram returning officer allotted the Glass Tumbler symbol to Meesala Geetha, who is contesting as an independent candidate after TDPs high command denied the ticket to her. Geetha unsuccessfully contested the 2009 elections from Praja Rajyam Party and won the seat in the 2014 election from TDP in the Vizianagaram Assembly segment. In addition to that, Geethas younger brother Gurana Ayyalu was a Jana Sena leader and is playing a key role in the Vizianagaram Assembly segment. Therefore, Vizianagaram Assembly segment TDP candidate Aditi Vijayalakshmi Gajapathi Raju Pusapati fears losing the votes of Jana Sena sympathisers as they may vote for Glass Tumbler symbol. Similarly, the Shrungavarapukota returning officer allotted the symbol to Lokabhi Ramakoti Kotyada, who filed the nomination as an independent candidate after the JSP denied ticket to him. Shrungavarapukota TDP candidate Kolla Lalitha Kumari is now in a fix as the JSP cadre votes might go to the independent candidate. In the erstwhile East Godavari district, the Glass Tumbler symbol was given to independents and parties like Telugu Janatha Party. In Kakinada City, Munagala Sai Gopi of Telugu Janatha Party was given the symbol and similar is the situation in Jaggampeta, where an independent Patamsetti Suryachandra got the symbol. Two more seats in the East Godavari district, Ramachandrapuram, Amalapuram and Mummdivaram also have candidates with Glass Tumbler as their symbols. Budireddy Srinivas, Jaggampeta JSP mandal secretary said the allotment of Glass Tumbler as the symbol for independents will cost them dearly. Each candidate with Glass Tumbler symbol is likely to get a share of more than 4,000 to 5,000 votes and this would be a loss to the TDP or BJP candidate. These independents, otherwise, would get 1,000 or even lesser votes, he said. In Prakasam district, of the eight Assembly constituencies, Glass Tumbler symbol was allotted to independent candidates in the Giddalur and Markapur segments. Similarly, in Ongole Parliament constituency, the symbol was allotted to an independent. A similar situation prevails in Tekkali where TDP AP chief K Atchannaidu, in Kuppam where TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu is contesting. Same is the situation in Amudalavalasa, Vijayawada Central, Mylavaram, Gannavaram, Tanuku, Mandapet and several other constituencies.

West Godavari sarpanch to address at UN event on women's empowerment

VIJAYAWADA: Woman sarpanch from West Godavari district, Kunuku Hemakumari, would participate in the side event at the 57th Commission on Population and Development (CPD) meet organised by the UN Economic and Social Council in New York, USA, on May 3. She has been nominated by the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj, which is co-hosting the side event along with the Permanent Mission of India there and the and the UN Population Fund at the UN Secretariat Building. Discussions would take place there on the theme, 'Localizing the SDGs: Women in Local Governance in India, Lead the Way'. Hemakumari would be leaving for the US on May 1, this being her first foreign visit. There will a panel discussion with three elected women representatives from India, who would share their success stories and work done in their respective panchayats towards gender equality and development. Three states namely Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Tripura have been selected by the panchayat raj ministry to nominate one each elected women representative to represent India at the UN event. Hema Kumari's selection to represent her community at this global forum comes as a recognition of her outstanding efforts and achievements in women empowerment since the time she assumed the office in April 2021. Through her visionary leadership, Pekeru Grama Panchayat has emerged as a shining example of grassroots initiatives driving sustainable development and gender equality. As Sarpanch, Hema Kumari has spearheaded transformative initiatives focusing on three crucial pillars: health, education and financial independence, an official release here on Tuesday said. She initiated regular health camps and educational programmes to raise awareness about proper nutrition and prenatal care. This resulted in a significant reduction in high-risk pregnancy cases and infant mortality rates. The two other women representatives attending the UN event from India are Supriya Das Datta, Sabhadhipati (chairperson) of Sepahijala Zilla Parishad of Tripura and Neeru Yadav, Sarpanch of gram panchayat Lambi Aheer of Jhunjhunu district, Rajasthan. Hemakumari, an 2022 M Tech holder from JNTU, Kakinada, was elected as Sarpanch of Pekeru gram panchayat of Iragavaram mandal in 2021. She worked as associate lecturer in Electronics and communication engineering for 5 years (2014-2019) at the Sri Mullapudi Venkataraya Memorial Polytechnic (SMVMP) College, Tanuku. She is currently the president of the Mandal Sarpanch Chamber and general secretary of the Zilla Sarpanch Chamber.

Keeping hope for democracy alive on an island

Guarded by security personnel and wildlife authorities, the officials are set for a unique sail on Kakinada Bay to conduct the poll for the 319 fisherfolk voters on Hope Island, a sand spit formed a century ago off the Kakinada coast

Pawan promises Polavaram by 2027

KAKINADA : Jana Sena chief and film star Pawan Kalyan has promised at an election meeting in Koyyalagudem of Eluru district on Tuesday that Polavaram project will be completed by 2027. He underlined that funds necessary for providing a relief and rehabilitation package to people affected by the project will be released within six months by introducing a special cess in Andhra Pradesh. Pawan said, I call upon the five crore people of Andhra to pay the special cess and facilitate completion of the Polavaram project, which will be a great boon for the state. He said the alliance government will impose a 1 paisa cess on each purchase. This way, it will accumulate 33,000 crore within six months. This will be given as R&R package to the 1.6 lakh Polavaram project victims, who are currently living in great distress and disgust. The Jana Sena chief said Polavaram assembly segment candidate Chirlam Bala Raju had raised the Polavaram project issue in the assembly. Eluru LS candidate Putta Mahesh Yadav would raise the issue in the parliament to sanction funds. He would bring the issue to the notice of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On the Kapu reservation agitation, Pawan Kalyan said once such a movement is launched, it will have to be continued till the fulfilment of the demand. Earlier, the agitation had been given up midway, when YSRC had come to power. That has led to the dilution of the reservation demand. He cited the example of Madiga Reservation Porata Samithi president Manda Krishna Madiga, who has been continuously agitating for providing reservations to Madigas. He has now successfully brought the issue to the notice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Jana Sena chief said such a spirit of agitation must be adopted by Kapus too. He charged that Chintalapudi lift irrigation and Amaravati as capital projects have been stopped by Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy as he did not want to favour one particular community Kamma. Pawan reiterated that he will win from Pithapuram assembly constituency with a huge majority.

In Andhra's East Godavari, Farmers Resort To Cashew Cultivation Amid Rising Temperatures

The most important component of these cashew trees in the rural Kakinada area of East Godavari is the pulp of the cashew fruit.

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

Alliance government to complete irrigation projects: Pawan Kalyan

KAKINADA : The three-party alliance government would complete the irrigation projects and provide water to every acre of land, Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan has promised while speaking at a road show and bike rally in Pithapuram mandal on Monday. People welcomed him at Chendurthi, Vannepudi, Kodavli, Veldurthi, Dontamuru, B Kothuru, Thimmapuram, Gokivada, Jamulapalli, Narasingapuram, L.N.Puram, Kolanka, Viravada, Virava, Mangithurthi, Mallam, Jalluru, FK Palem, Kandarada, Kumarapuram and other villages for six hours on Monday and showered flowers on him. In response, Pawn Kalyan said the people spread flowers on him and throw stones on chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy. He said Jagan Mohan Reddy sent Chandrababu Naidu to jail without taking care of his 40 years of political experience. When the TD was in the crisis, I rendered support to it, and my aim of the alliance with TD and BJP is not to split the anti-incumbancy votes. He said that his support to Chandrababu has raised the morale of the Telugu Desam cadre. He promised that the former MLA S.V.S.N. Varma would be given MLC post. Pawan Kalyan cautioned the people that they would lose their assets and properties if they cast their vote for the YSRC. Jagan Mohan Reddy issued GOs to loot your properties in the name of the AP Land Titling Act. He said, When the people purchase properties and lands, the government would not give original documents, except the Xerox copies. He stressed the need for defeating the YSRC to protect their properties. Praising the TD cadres, Pawan Kalyan said that though TD experienced many crises, its cadre have not been scattered. Former Pithapuram MLA S.V.S.N. Varma said that one section of the media was making a vicious propaganda against him, that he would join the YSRC. Once I give on my word. Varma said he had promised Pawan Kalyan and Chandrababu Naidu that he would ensure victory of Pawan Kalyan with a huge majority in the present polls. Jana Senas Kakinada Lok Sabha candidate Tangella Udaya Srinivas, Pithapuram BJP incharge K. Krishnam Raju and others were present. In Unguturu and Tadepalligudem constituency meetings, Pawan Kalyan said that BC-SC sub-plans funds have not been diverted and the funds would be spent for their welfare. I would not be afraid of YSRC goons. He said drinking water problems would be sorted out by modernising the Eluru canal. He appealed to the people to ensure the win of BJP Lok Sabha candidate and Jana Sena candidates in the two assembly seats by huge majority. He said, Farmers are not able to get crop insurance during the YSRC rule. Farmers' issues would be sorted out and roads and infrastructure facilities would be developed in the Godavari districts.

Congress To Bring SCS for 10 Years to Andhra Pradesh

Kakinada: Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president Y.S.Sharmila said that if Congress comes to power, the special category status would be brought to Andhra Pradesh for 10 years and implement all bifurcation promises as per AP Reorganisation Act. She was accompanied by former Union minister M.M. Pallam Raju took out a road show at Rajamahendravaram on Monday. She emphasised that a vote for either the Telugu Desam-Jana Sena-BJP alliance or the YSRC would ultimately benefit the BJP, which has not contributed to the state's development She said that neither Chandrababu Naidu nor Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has done anything to develop the state. She assured the people that a Congress government would prioritise the completion of the Polavaram project and address the issue of unemployment among the state's youth Pallam Raju mentioned that under Sharmila Reddy's leadership, a Congress government would strive to emulate the governance style of the late Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy

Every successive government only aggravated Kakinada SEZs plight, says Pallam Raju

Pallam Raju claims that gathering a huge chunk of land along the Kakinada beach to set up the Indian Navys proposed Amphibious Warfare Training Centre and commissioning the Indian Coast Guard Station is one of the most important initiatives he took and is remembered forever in the history of the Kakinada Lok Sabha.

Coromandel International Announces Rs 1,000 Crore Investment In Andra Pradesh

In a regulatory filing, the company said it has commenced the project activity to set up its Phosphoric Acid-Sulphuric Acid complex facility at Kakinada.

Coromandel International to invest Rs 1,000 cr to set up plant in Andhra Pradesh

Coromandel International, which is mainly in the fertiliser business, will invest Rs 1,000 crore to set up a plant to produce phosphoric and sulphuric acid at Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh. In a regulatory filing, the company said it has commenced the project activity to set up its Phosphoric Acid-Sulphuric Acid complex facility at Kakinada.

Coromandel International to set up 1000-crore fertiliser plant at Kakinada

The company has started work of the facility, which will enhance companys backward integration capacities and provide stable supplies of phosphoric acid for its fertiliser manufacturing

Chandrababu Naidu, Jagan Mohan Reddy stooges of BJP: Y S Sharmila

Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) chief Y S Sharmila on Monday alleged that YSRCP President Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy and TDP head N Chandrababu Naidu are stooges of the BJP. Sharmila made the allegation at Kakinada during a public meeting as part of her election campaign for the May 13 simultaneous polls for the 175 assembly seats and 25 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

Film actor Varun Tej campaigns for Pawan Kalyan in Pithapuram

Andhra Pradesh: Popular film actor Varun Tej has campaigned in support of his uncle and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan in Pithapuram in Kakinada district. Waving to the crowd from his cars sunroof, Varun Tej rigorously campaigned for Pawan Kalyan, who is contesting from Pawan Kalyan from Pithapuram Assembly constituency. Holding party flags and symbol, the supporters of Pawan Kalyan accompanied Varun Tej during the election campaign. Both the YSRCP and Jana Sena are leaving no stone unturned in winning the Pithapuram Assembly constituency. The leaders from the two parties are busy in the high-octane campaign seeking support of the people during the elections. They mainly focused on door-to-door campaigns and road shows. Varun Tejs movie Operation Valentine that was released in February 2024 drew the attention of a large number of audiences. He became popular with the movies Fidaa, F2 and F3.

Kannababu Refutes PKs Charge on Praja Rajyam

Kakinada : Former agriculture minister and sitting Kakinada Rural MLA Kurasala Kannababu, who is also the YSRC candidate from the constituency in the 2024 assembly elections, objected to Jana Sena president Pawan Kalyans charge that Kannababu had been behind the merging of Praja Rajyam with Congress in the past. Addressing media here on Sunday, Kannababu retorted that the film star must put such blame on his elder brother Mega Star Chiranjeevi, who had floated the Praja Rajyam Party. He maintained that when Chiranjeevi floated the party, he gave tickets to 294 candidates. The former minister said he had been one of the candidates who had been given the ticket. Kannababu said, I was one of the winning candidates. I feel proud that I became a successful politician due to Chiranjeevi. I will not forget him forever. At the same time, I have a debt to Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, who encourages me politically. The former minister maintained that Pawn Kalyan has done nothing for the welfare of Kapu. In this regard, he sought to predict that the film actor will be defeated in the Pithapuram constituency by Vanga Geetha.

Kodikathi Srinu Family Members Join TD

Kakinada: The family members of Janipalli Srinivasa Rao, known as Kodikathi Srinu joined the Telugu Desam and extended support to Mummidivaram candidate Datla Subba Raju. His parents Janipalli Tata Rao and Savithri, brother Subba Rao, and his uncle Janipallli Venkateswara Rao (fathers brother) joined Telugu Desam. However, Janipalli Srinivasa Rao had not joined the party due to his pending criminal case. However, Srinivasa Rao said that he had wished Jagan to become the Chief Minister. But, neither Jagan nor YSRC leaders supported him. But, all sections of the people in the society and opposition parties have given moral support to him. Srinivasa Rao said that he wishes that the alliance parties would come to power to do good for the state.

Anarchy in Andhra Pradesh under CM Jagans rule: Pawan Kalyan

VIJAYAWADA: Going hammer and tongs against the YSRC regime, Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan alleged that anarchy prevailed in the State under YS Jagan Mohan Reddys rule. Addressing a public meeting in Kakinada on Saturday as part of his election campaign, he said there was no response from Jagan even when 30,000 women went missing in the State. Expressing concern over the increasing ganja menace, he said once the tripartite alliance is in power, it will deal with the ganja issue sternly. He lashed out at YSRC MLAs Dwarampudi Chandrasekhar Reddy and Kurasala Kanna Babu. He lashed out at YSRC MLAs Dwarampudi Chandrasekhar Reddy and Kurasala Kanna Babu. I am contesting from Pithapuram Assembly segment to teach them a lesson, he said, and accused Jagan of speaking more like a liquor trader than a Chief Minister. Accusing Kanna Babu of being mired deep in corruption, he said the Kakinada rural MLA should be given a share in every real estate venture. The JSP chief called upon the youth to strive to dethrone Jagan. I have paid Rs 70 crore as income tax in five years. You can just imagine, how much I can earn. But why I am on the roads today, seeking public mandate, is to save the State and its people from the clutches of Jagan, he asserted. Reiterating that the 2024 elections are very important for the future of the State, he urged the people to think before they cast their votes. The tripartite alliance will release its poll manifesto on April 30, he added.

Pawan Blames Kannababu for Fall of Praja Rajyam

Kakinada : Jana Sena chief and film star Pawan Kalyan lashed out at the Kakinada Rural sitting MLA and the former minister Kurasala Kannababu. He described the latter as an ungrateful wretch and blamed him for the downfall of Praja Rajyam through its merger with Congress. Addressing a Praja Galam meeting at Indrapalem village in Kakinada Rural mandal on Saturday evening, Pawan Kalyan said that Kannababu has become a land grabber and caused the deaths of many land owners. He cited several examples of Kannababu victims. The JS chief lashed out at Kakinada MLA Dwarampudi Chandrasekhara Reddy. He said that Dwarampudi is drunk on power. He made it clear that Dwarampudi will get a fitting lesson after elections. Pawan Kalyan criticised YSRCs Kakinada Lok Sabha candidate Chalamalasetty Sunil. He said Sunil has no ideology and changes his party once in every five years. He thus cannot develop Kakinada constituency. The Jana Sena president promised people of Kakinada Rural constituency that a bridge will be constructed at Kongodu village. He said the construction of the bridge has stopped as the contractor could not give 200 crore commission demanded by Kannababu. Kakinada Rural nominee Pantham Venkateswara Rao (Nanaji), Kakinada Jana Sena Lok Sabha nominee T. Uday Srinivas and others were present. Addressing another Praja Galam meeting at Samalkot on Saturday night, Pawan Kalyan assured that 34 per cent of natural resources like mines will be allotted to local people by the alliance government.

NETA NATTER | KCR, KTR TREAD ON UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY

All it takes is one good political defeat to make leaders tread paths they would otherwise have not. Take the instance of BRS chief and former chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao who visited a regional news channel studio and spent a whopping four hours doing an interview live. Similarly, his son K.T. Rama Rao has been visiting various temples, including the Gadwal Jogulamba temple, as part of the Lok Sabha election campaign and offering prayers. Both developments came as a big surprise to political circles. One, because KCR never took part in any live debate on any regional TV channel in the last 10 years, and KTR, a self-declared atheist, stayed away from temples including the renovated Yadadri temple when it was inaugurated by KCR with the then Cabinet in attendance. Politics, as they say, is a fickle mistress. A BATTLE OF OATHS ENSUES Promises, oaths. These have become the staple of politicians and the current overheated political situation in Telangana is seeing more and more of these each day. While BRS chief K. Chandrashekar Rao is slamming the A. Revanth Reddy government for indulging only in thitlu and votlu (abuse of BRS leaders, and promises on Gods), but doing nothing, his son K.T. Rama Rao has demanded that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy take a vottu on his wife and daughter instead of Gods. Revanth is taking oaths with God as his witness at famous temples in different constituencies during his campaign and saying that he will waive crop loans of all farmers in one go by August 15. But Gods, KTR counters, do not question back and so wants Revanth to take such oaths on his wife and daughter. BRS DOES U-TURN Gone are the days of bemoaning about the country as a whole and how the BRS was the answer that the nation could be waiting for. After the Assembly elections defeat, and with Lok Sabha polls looming, BRS leaders have gone back to their golden oldie, that only it can protect the interests of the state. For instance, in Adilabad, BRS leaders in their speeches say that regional parties like the BRS can only protect the interest of Telangana state, unlike the Congress and the BJP. Former BRS minister Jogu Ramanna is leading the pack, saying only the BRS can talk about the state, and that national parties have no real interest in Telanganas welfare. While it is no longer TRS and is now BRS, for now, the opposition party is betting on the old is gold adage. WE CAN HURL ABUSE AND STILL SEEK SUPPORT? That politicians try to give a spin of their own to suit their political convenience is a given. They live by the dictum that there are no permanent friends and foes in politics, and follow it in letter and spirit. As its true and blue followers, they tend to justify their own party hopping but decry the moves of their opponents. The other day, BJP leader M. Raghunandan Rao found fault with the Congress and especially Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy for going to Kerala and calling the CPM communalists there, even as his colleague, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, was hobnobbing with their leaders seeking their support in Telangana state. This left one wondering what would be his opinion on his partys alignment with the Kashmir-based PDP again, which it regularly blames for hobnobbing with separatists. FOOT IN MOUTH FOR NANDYAL MP A slip of the tongue is a common occurrence for everyone, particularly when they are momentarily inattentive. However, in the realm of politics, such slips can pose major problems as Nandyal MP Pocha Brahmananda Reddy found out. After filing his nomination papers, he made glowing references to his YSRC president and Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddys welfare schemes. But, as he wound up, he called on the people to vote for the bicycle symbol, which belongs to the YSRCs arch-rival, the Telugu Desam. Though he tried to make immediate amends, his comment flew through the online world, with folks cracking jokes at him. Clearly, an untimely slip of the tongue cant be corrected even with nine urgent stitches in these days of instant communication. PAWAN DANCES TO THE PEOPLES TUNE Song and dance are part of the political process and candidates facing elections are no strangers to this. And if the candidate happens to be an actor-politician like Pawan Kalyan, then things can quickly get interesting. Using all his histrionic skills, Pawan, contesting from Pithapuram Assembly constituency in Andhra Pradesh, alternates between fits of anger and rage. But of late, he has also taken to shaking a leg, given how popular some of his numbers from his movies are. This was on full display at the nomination rally of his Jana Senas candidate from Kakinada Lok Sabha constituency, Tangella Uday Srinivas, the other day. During the rally, Pawan danced to the accompanying drumbeats driving the crowds wild with men and women joining in with enthusiasm. Whether sweating it out in the sun by dancing will get his party votes, however, remains to be seen. Contributions from Vadrevu Srinivas, G. Ram Mohan, L. Venkatram Reddy, P.V. Prasad, Pillalamarri Srinivas.

64 mandals in Andhra Pradesh likely to experience severe heatwave conditions today

VISAKHAPATNAM : Dry weather conditions persist in the State as severe heatwaves grip multiple mandals across various districts. On Saturday, 64 mandals, including three in Alluri Sitarama Raju, six in Anakapalli, two each in East Godavari and Eluru, one in Kakinada, 13 in Parvathipuram Manyam, 15 in Srikakulam, and 22 in Vizianagaram, are expected to experience severe heat waves, while 183 mandals are forecast to encounter heatwave conditions. The India Meteorological Departments Amaravati Centre reports that isolated places in Rayalaseema are likely to witness heatwaves on Saturday. Additionally, hot, humid weather is expected at isolated locations in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh (NCAP), Yanam, and South Coastal Andhra Pradesh (SCAP). Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph are also predicted in isolated parts of NCAP and Yanam. The heatwave conditions are expected to persist until April 30, with isolated places in Rayalaseema likely to experience heatwaves. Discomforting weather conditions are anticipated at isolated locations in NCAP, Yanam, and SCAP. On Friday, 41 mandals reported severe heatwaves, while 116 mandals recorded heatwave conditions. Nandyala registered the highest maximum temperature at 44.6 degrees Celsius, followed closely by Kurnool at 44, Anantapur at 43.4, Kadapa at 43.2, and Tirupati at 43.3 degrees Celsius. According to the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority, since April 1, four districtsAlluri Sitarama Raju, Nandyal, Parvathipuram Manyam, and Nellorehave reported the highest temperature of 45.8 degrees Celsius. Additionally, 26 other locations throughout the State have recorded temperatures exceeding 42 degrees Celsius.

Pawan Kalyan says red sander smugglers in Pithapuram

Kakinada: Jana Sena chief and film star Pawan Kalyan has alleged that rivals in the other party have sent 50 to 60 red sanders smugglers into the Godavari districts as he is contesting from Pithapuram Assembly constituency, . I am not afraid of such threats. I have come to politics leaving my fears, he declared while addressing several meetings in Konaseema district from atop his Varahi vehicle. The JS chief said Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has frequently been saying that if the NDA alliance comes to power, welfare schemes will be stopped. He said the amount being spent on welfare schemes is not coming from Jagan Mohan Reddys or his own forefathers. The schemes are from peoples money, he declared. He regretted that individual clashes between Vangaveeti Ranga and Nehru in Vijayawada and Pilli Subhashchandra Bose and Thota Trimurtulu in Ramachandrapuram have to be seen as clashes between two castes. He found fault with such trends in society. Pawan Kalyan said a small stone had been hurled on Jagan Mohan Reddy amidst thousands of people. The police nabbed a youth. But when an auspicious chariot had been burnt at Antarvedi, the government could not find the accused. He observed that the person who threw the stone is mentally ill. He accused minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy and his son Mithun Reddy of terrorising the people of Godavari district. I will not tolerate this, he declared. The JS chief demanded that ONGC, Gail and Cairn Energy replace their pipelines with safer ones. He demanded that CSR funds from these companies should be spent on development of the respective constituencies. Pawan Kalyan advised people not to fall for upma and idlis provided by the ruling YSRC. Amalapuram Lok Sabha candidate G. Harish Mathur and P. Gannavaram nominee D. Vara Prasad accompanied the JS chief.

No respite from scorching heat in Andhra Pradesh

VIJAYAWADA: As many as 56 mandals in the State are likely to reel under severe heatwave, while 174 mandals are likely to experience heatwave-like conditions on Friday. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted a heatwave at isolated places across the State, besides predicting hot, humid, and discomforting weather at isolated places across the State for the next four days. On Thursday, Andhra Pradesh largely experienced hot and humid conditions with daytime temperatures being above 40 degrees Celsius at most of the places. According to APSDPS, at around 4 pm, as many as 547 places in the State have reported daytime temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius and of them 78 places reported maximum temperatures above 43 degrees Celsius. APSDMA in its daily bulletin said on Thursday as many as 72 mandals experienced severe heatwave, and 102 mandals recorded heatwave. Among the 72 mandals with severe heatwave, 21 each were in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts, 12 in Anakapalli district, 11 in Paravatipuram-Manyam district, three each in Alluri Sitarama Raju and East Godavari districts, and one mandal in Kakinada district.

Sunil Rebuts Pawan Kalyans Charge

Kakinada: YSRC Kakinada Lok Sabha candidate Chalamalasetty Sunil has strongly rebutted Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyans remark that Sunil is not suitable for politics. Incidentally, Sunil filed his nomination papers on Thursday before the district returning officer J. Nivas, along with Kakinada MLA Dwarampudi Chandrasekhara Reddy, Kakinada Rural MLA Kurasala Kannababu and others. Speaking to media later, the YSRC candidate agreed with Pawan Kalyans statement that friendship and politics are separate. He maintained that he had contested from the same Kakinada Lok Sabha constituency three times representing different parties. He has now filed his papers for the fourth time. Sunil retorted that he has not changed his constituencies like Pawan Kalyan has done. He said during the election time, Pawan Kalyan had promised people that he would be with the people of Bhimavaram and Gajuwaka constituencies even after his defeat. But he has now changed his constituency to Pithapuram. The YSRC candidate said Pawan Kalyan is not a stable person. He wondered what good the JS chief will do for the people of Pithapuram.

Godavari Districts Receive 560 Nominations for Assembly and 107 for LS Seats

Kakinada: In the erstwhile East and West Godavari districts, as many as 560 candidates have filed their nominations from the 35 assembly constituencies and 107 candidates from the four Lok Sabha constituencies, when the last day for filing nominations ended on Thursday. BJP candidate Nallamilli Ramakrishna Reddy filed his nomination from the Anaparthi assembly constituency after reaching the office of the returning officer in a huge procession on Thursday. In all, 18 candidates have filed their nominations from Kothapeta, 22 from Mummidivaram, 16 from Mandapeta, 21 from Ramachandrapuram, 21 from Amalapuram, 15 from Razole and 17 from P. Gannavaram in Konaseema district. 33 candidates filed nominations from Kakinada Lok Sabha constituency. 139 nominations, including 22 from Tuni, 23 from Prathipadu, 28 from Pithapuram, 27 from Kakinada Rural, 16 from Peddapuram and 23 from Jaggampeta have been filed in Kakinada district. 27 candidates have filed nominations from the Narsapuram Lok Sabha constituency. 112 nominations have been filed in West Godavari district, including 18 from Achanta, 25 from Palakollu, 17 from Narsapuram, 19 from Bhimavaram, 31 from Undi, 20 from Tanuku and 26 from Tadepalligudem assembly constituencies. 24 candidates have filed nominations for the Rajamahendravaram Lok Sabha constituency. 172 nominations, including 20 from Gopalapuram, 30 from Nidadavole, 28 from Kovvuru, 23 from Rajamahendravaram Rural, 20 from Rajamahendravaram City, 31 from Rajanagaram and 20 from Anaparthi assembly segments have been filed. 23 candidates have filed nominations from Eluru Lok Sabha constituency. Total 168 nominations have been received for the seven assembly seats in Eluru district 22 from Ungutur, 23 from Denduluru, 19 from Eluru, 29 from Polavaram, 20 from Chintalapudi, 20 from Nuziveedu and 25 from Kaikaluru.

Resentment Brewing Within AP BJP Over Purandeswaris Naidu Slant

Kakinada : Bharatiya Janata Party leaders in Kakinada district and elsewhere are unable to digest the way AP BJP president Daggubati Purandeswari is going about her campaigning in the assembly and Lok Sabha elections. They allege she is trying to protect her self-interests, rather than promote the partys ideology. In particular, they are sore that Purandeswari has side lined BJP candidate M.S. Krishnam Raju in the Anaparthi constituency and has gone on to allot the seat to TD candidate Nallamilli Ramakrishna Reddy by forcing the latter to join the BJP. Saffron leaders such actions will leave the Bharatiya Janata Party in a mess in Andhra Pradesh, particularly when the fortunes of the party could change in the state. They accuse Purandeswari of not being committed to BJP like its leaders of pas 10 years including K. Haribabu, Kanna Lakshminarayana and Somu Veerraju and others. Further, they have gone on to allege that the AP BJP chief is issuing B forms even to BJP leaders only after holding consultations with the Telugu Desam Party chief N. Chandrababu Naidu. She has not given a single seat to Kapus, who are in sizeable numbers in Godavari districts. Kapu community leaders like Dr. Akula Satyanarayana had won from Rajamahendravaram, Pendem Dorababu won from Pithapuram, late Pydikondala Manikyala Rao won from Tadepalligudem previously. Yet she has denied any representation to Kapus, charged BJP Kakinada district former vice president Chitneedi Srinivas, who recently joined YSRC in the presence of Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. Purandeswari has no party interest, only self-interest, remarked a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He said Purandeswari could have at least got Kakinada and Rajamahendravaram Urban seats for the BJP. Instead, he underlined, she has protected the interests of Telugu Desam and its chief Chandrababu Naidu.

Cash, Items of Rs 165.91 Crore Seized in AP After Release of Election Schedule

Vijayawada: Chief Electoral Officer Mukesh Meena has said cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals, free bees and other items worth more than Rs 165.91 crore have been seized since the announcement of the election schedule in AP. He said that as the general elections are slated for May 13 in the state, a strong vigil has been kept on the illegal transportation of cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals etc that might be distributed by candidates or parties to attract voters. Through inter-state as well as other check posts in the state, more than 20 enforcement agencies such as police, excise, income tax, forest, ED, NCB, RPF, customs etc are on constant vigil against illegal transportation of cash and goods for election-related canvassing. Illegally transported assets worth Rs 8.65 crore have been seized in the last 24 hours alone. The highest amount of Rs 30.66 crore was seized in Anantapur LS constituency and the lowest amount of Rs 1.15 crore in Narsapuram LS. The total amount seized till date was Rs 36.89 crore in cash, 6,62,402.65 litres of liquor worth Rs 20.32 crore, 52,28,218.94 grams of drugs worth Rs 2.78 crore, 14,73,734.46 grams of precious metals worth Rs 91.26 crore, 4,88,557 items worth Rs 2.90 crore, Freebies (freebies) and other items worth Rs 11.74 crore were seized, he said. In Tirupati (SC), Rs 19.37 crore was seized; Kakinada Rs 18.18 crore, Elur Rs 13.77 crore, Visakhapatnam Rs 12.50 crore, Rajampet Rs 6.96 crore, Vijayawada Rs 6.75 crore, Nandyala Rs 5.63 crore, Kadapa Rs 5.62 crore, Narasaraopet Rs 4.61 crore, Vizianagaram Rs 4.18 crore, Bapatla (SC) Rs 3.99 crore, Anakapalli Rs 3.72 crore, Rajahmundry Rs 3.62 crore, Srikakulam Rs 3.61 crore, Araku (ST) Rs 3.37 crore, Nellore Rs 3 crore, Machilipatnam Rs 2.87 crore, Guntur Rs 2.75 crore, Kurnool Rs 2.45 crore, Chittoor (SC) Rs 1.94 crore, Ongole Rs 1.93 crore, Hindupur Rs 1.63 crore and in Amalapuram (SC) Rs 1.52 crore.

Yanamala Krishnudu Leaves TD in Lurch in Tuni, Ready to Join YSRC

Kakinada: Yanamala Krishnudu, a powerful Telugu Desam leader, has decided to quit the TD, leaving Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, his cousin and the former Finance Minister in the lurch. Ramakrishnudus daughter Yanamala Divya, is contesting from Tuni on behalf of the alliance in the assembly elections. In a major blow to the electoral prospectus of the alliance, the senior Telugu Desam leader Yanamala Krishnudu, has decided to sever his 40 year old connections with the Telugu Desam and he is all set to join ruling Y.S.R.C in coming two days. Krishnudu, who was a great fan of late N.T.Rama Rao, is the cousin of Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, the former Finance Minister who represented the Tuni constituency for a long time. In fact, it is said that Krishnudu was the power behind the throne in Tuni constituency, whenever TD was in power. Ramakrishnudu used to be in the cabinet, holding the important portfolio of a finance minister or a speaker, while Krishnudu used to rule the roost in Tuni constituency. In the constituency, his word was the law, whenever TD was in power. Such a powerful leader, has decided to part ways with the TD and it is a big-blow to Yanamala Divya, the daughter of Ramakrishnudu, who is contesting from the constituency. Krishnudu also contested twice on TD ticket from the constituency, but he lost both times in 2014 and 2019 elections. Yanamala Krishnudu told the Deccan Chronicle that when late N.T.Rama Rao floated Telugu Desam, he was proposed to contest from Tuni, but he proposed his cousin Yanamala Ramakrishnudu and gave B.Form to him. From then, Ramakrishnudu enjoyed power. He said that when Ramakrishnudus daughter was given Tuni Ticket, Ramakrishnudu and TD supremo N. Chandrababu Naidu gave promise to him to give MLC post. But, now, Ramakrishnudu could get MLA candidate to her daughter's father-in-law Putta Sudhakar Yadav, Eluru Lok Sabha seat for his son-in-law Putta Mahesh Yadav and Tuni MLA candidature to his daughter Divya and if TD comes to power, Ramakrshnudu wants to get MLC post. In these circumstances, he has decided to quit TD and join in YSRC as the YSRC leaders promised to him to recognise his services in future. He said that the Roads and Transport Minister Dadisetty Raja, YSRC Kakinada Lok Sabha candidate Chalamalasetty Sunil and others contacted him and convinced him to join in YSRC and he had agreed for it.

Jagan will go to jail after elections: Pawan

VIJAYAWADA : Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan on Wednesday predicted that YS Jagan Mohan Reddy will go back to jail after the elections. He was speaking in reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modis speech in Rajasthans Balmar, where he said that those who do wrong should be prepared to be punished. Jagan, an accused in more than 30 cases, is out on bail. However, after the elections, he will be in jail and this is Modis guarantee, he asserted. The actor-politician was speaking to reporters after the partys Lok Sabha candidate, Tangella Uday Srinivas filed his nomination. Reiterating that the elections will decide the fate of the people and the State, he said, The JSP, TDP, and BJP have allied to assure people that law and order issues, corruption, and anarchy prevailing in the State will stop. On the issue of a leader of the Jana Jatiya Sena Party, named Srinivasu Tangella, contesting the Kakinada MP seat, the JSP chief said they have requested the returning officer to see to it that the JSP candidates name in the ballot paper appears as Tea Time Uday. The request was accepted. Later in the day, Pawan, along with TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu, addressed a public meeting at Nellimarla in Vizianagaram district. Terming Jagan a big thief, Pawan said, The YSRC president has looted Rs 450 crore of NTR University funds, diverted `800 crore of government employees GPF without their knowledge and `8,000 crore of Panchayat Raj funds. Even Rs 450 crore of building and construction workers funds were not spared. To bring down power tariff, this fan (YSRCs poll symbol) should be stopped, he quipped. Stating that Jagan can be described as a psychopath and sociopath, he underscored the need to dethrone him. Lambasting at Jagan over his governments failure to maintain law and order in the State, the JSP chief said, Lord Rama is worshipped by all, but under the YSRC regime, the idol of Rama in Ramateertham was beheaded. However, no action was taken. Under Jagan, over 200 Hindu temples were demolished, he alleged. On the Bhogapuram Airport issue, the actor pointed out that Jagan, when he was the Opposition leader, wanted to cancel the project. But now, he is using it for land grabbing and minting money, he claimed. Naidu, too, accused the YSRC of attempting to demolish Lord Ramas idols in Ramateertham. The police will arrest us even if we speak anything against the Chief Minister, but they took no action when idols were damaged, he said. Naidu questioned Jagans disinterest in doing any good for Nellimarla. If I had remained in power, the works of Bhogapuram Airport would have been completed. I acquired 2,750 acres for the airport and laid the foundation stone, added Naidu and promised to complete the international airport by 2025. Ensure door delivery of pensions TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu has sought the intervention of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) to direct the State government to distribute pensions to beneficiaries at the doorstep. Pointing out that 33 elderly citizens reportedly lost their lives because of the government forcing beneficiaries to visit the village/ward Secretariats to collect their pensions in April, Naidu wrote that the ruling party launched a vicious campaign of blaming the ECI and opposition parties to get political mileage by twisting the facts. In this backdrop, there is every possibility that the State government, with active connivance of officials concerned, will repeat the same scenario when the pensions will have to be disbursed on May 1. With temperatures in the State soaring beyond tolerable levels, beneficiaries will face severe hardships if they are made to wait at the secretariats to collect their pension, the former chief minister wrote in the letter.

Identical names, a new headache for Jana Sena

GUNTUR : Sometimes, the symbols and names of contesting candidates in an election play spoilsport. There were instances where similar symbols or names of candidates created confusion among the voters and marred the prospects of a candidate. Jana Sena Party Kakinada MP candidate Tangella Uday Srinivas might face a similar situation now. Among the nominations filed on Wednesday was that of Srinivasu Tangella from Jatiya Jana Sena Party, a Hyderabad-based party. Incidentally, the little-known Jatiya Jana Sena Party was allotted the Bucket symbol in the Telangana elections. The party leaders are trying hard to get the same symbol to contest in AP elections and appealed to the ECI for the same. If the Bucket symbol is allotted to the Jatiya Jana Sena Party, it will pose a serious challenge to Jana Sena of Pawan Kalyan, as both symbols Jana Senas Glass Tumbler and Bucket look similar, felt political analysts. As per the affidavit filed with the ECI, Srinivasu Tangella has Rs 50,000 cash in hand, and Rs 51,000 deposited in two separate bank accounts and the details of all other information, including movable and immovable assets, liabilities are mentioned as not applicable. Founded in 2022, the Jatiya Jana Sena Party is a registered party but not a recognised party as it had not secured 8% of votes in the general elections. Jatiya Jana Sena national president D Nageswara Rao said, We are trying to get the Bucket symbol. The ECI is likely to allot it to us on April 29. When asked about the similar names of the candidates of JJSP and JSP, he said that when they selected the candidate for Kakinada MP seat, they were unaware of the fact. We are planning to contest all 175 Assembly constituencies and 25 LS constituencies in AP, he added. However, when TNIE checked, there was no other candidate of the party in the fray as of now and tomorrow will be the last day to file nominations.

Uday Srinivas files nomination as JSPs Kakinada Lok Sabha contestant

Pawan Says YSRC Candidate Sunil Not Suitable for Politics

Kakinada : Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan declared that YSRC Kakinada Lok Sabha candidate Chalamalasetty Sunil is not suitable for politics. The film star spoke on occasion of Tangella Udaya Srinivas filing his nomination from the Kakinada Lok Sabha constituency as the Jana Sena candidate on Wednesday amid huge fanfare. Pawan Kalyan himself participated in the procession and performed dances while proceeding in the procession. Later, the JS chief told media that Sunil is his friend. But there is a difference between friendship and politics. He said Sunil appears during the election time. Subsequently, he changes his parties. This happens frequently, he pointed out, underlining that this is bad for political leaders. Pawan Kalyan maintained that Udaya Srinivas is a leader with good vision. He has proved himself a good entrepreneur through his Tea Time organisation, which employs 25,000 people. Answering a query, he said rowdyism has increased in Kakinada city. Mere 12-year to 15-year olds are using ganja. This situation should be changed. The JS chief said the Jana Sena, TD and BJP alliance will come to power with a huge majority.

Boses strategy backfires at Ramachandrapuram

Kakinada: Times are when some political leaders strategies backfireand this was proven in the case of Rajya Sabha member Pilli Subhashchandra Bose. Bose had introduced Settibalija community leader Vasamsetty Subhash to the constituency and praised him as a good social worker and leader. Now, Vasamsetty is contesting against Boses son Pilli Surya Prakash on a Telugu Desam ticket. Vasamsetty Subhash worked for transport minister Pinepe Viswaroop in Amalapuram constituency during the 2019 elections. But, after the announcement of naming Konaseema district after Dr BR Ambedkar, an arson incident took place. The houses of Viswaroop and Mummidivaram MLA Ponnada Venkata Satish were gutted. Viswaroop and his family members believed that Subhash was behind the incident. The Viswaroop family and Vasamsetty Subhas turned enemies after the arson incident. Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha member Pilli Subhashchandra Bose supported Subhash and took him to Ramachandrapuram constituency. He introduced Subhash to the people, saying, He is a good person and a good social worker. The government also lifted cases against those who were involved in the arson incidents including Vasamsetty Subhash. After lifting the cases, Subhash joined the Telugu Desam. Now, he is contesting from Ramachandrapuram as the TD candidate against the YSRC candidate Pilli Surya Prakash, son of Pilli Bose. In other words, Boses strategy was boomeranged. Now, Vasamsetty Subhash is deep into the election campaign and the YSRC candidate has no word to criticise him. Bose and Thota Trimurthulu were political rivals from 1994 till the 2019 elections and these two leaders were contesting against each other. Trimurthulu won the seat as an Independent in 1994 and as TD nominee in 1999, as Congress candidate in the 2012 byelection and TD nominee in the 2014 elections. Bose won the seat in 1989, 2004 and 2009. He resigned the MLA post in the 2012 elections to support YS Jagan Mohan Reddy who floated the YSRC and contested from the constituency. But, he was defeated by Thota Trimurthulu. In the 2019 elections, BC welfare minister Chelluboyina Srinivasa Venugopala Krishna defeated TD candidate Thota Trimurthulu. But, Bose rebelled against the minister and then Jagan Reddy gave the ticket to Pilli Surya Prakash. The minister was sent to Rajamahendravaram Rural constituency. Surya Prakash has completed his campaign in the constituency by reaching out to the villages three or four times. Facing Subhash in the elections, he is depending on the group of Thota Trimurthulu, who is contesting from Mandapeta on behalf of the YSRC. But, Kapus are evincing interest in the Jana Sena. Now, Trimurthulu is advising Kapus to support YSRC candidate Prakash.

TD issues B form to Chintamaneni Prabhakar

Kakinada: With Nallamilli Ramakrishna Reddy joining the Bharatiya Janata Party, lines have finally cleared for former MLA Chintamaneni Prabhakar to contest the forthcoming elections from the Denduluru constituency. Telugu Desam chief N. Chandrababu Naidu called Prabhakar and gave him the B form on Wednesday. Prabhakar has already filed his nomination two days ago. He will submit the B form to the returning officer on Thursday. There had been an uproar in TD circles in Anaparthi constituency after the assembly constituency had been allotted to BJP. TD and alliance leaders asked the BJP high command to transfer the seat to TD and instead Chintaluru seat. But the BJP did not agree. This compelled TD state vice president N. Ramakrishna Reddy to join BJP on Tuesday night and get the B form from that party to contest the assembly elections from Anaparthi. BJP dropped its candidate M.S. Krishnam Raju for accommodating Ramakrishna Reddy.

In Andhra Pradesh's Kakinada, Only One Tree Is Bearing Mangoes Amid Soaring Temperatures

This single tree on the Rowthulapudi- Kotananduru road in the Kakinada district, has been bearing many mangoes.

TD VP Ramakrishna Reddy joins BJP

Kakinada: Telugu Desam state vice president Nallamilli Ramakrishna Reddy joined the Bharatiya Janata Party at the central office at Vijayawada in the presence of the party observer Siddharth Nath Singh and the party state president Daggubati Purandeswari on Tuesday night. This evening, Ramakrishana Reddy invited nearly 50 families belonging to YSRC in Anaparthi constituency into Telugu Desam. Later, he resigned as the TD vice president and went to Vijayawada BJP office. After joining the party, the BJP leaders have given B.Form to Ramakrishna Reddy to contest from Anaparthi constituency. Initially the TD president N.Chandrababu Naidu declared his candidature to Anaparthi. But, after alliance, the BJP took the seat and declared M.S.Krishnam Raju for the party candidate. Ramakrishna Reddys followers were up in arms against the TD high command. As per the advice of Naidu, Ramakrishna Reddy joined the BJP to contest from Anaparthi constituency. The BJP withdrew its candidate Krishnam Raju from the contest. Meanwhile, Ramakrishna Reddys son Manoj Reddy has been appointed as incharge of Telugu Desam to the constituency.

Cobbler to Contest Against Pawan Kalyan in Pithapuram

Kakinada : Yedida Bhaskara Rao, a cobbler from Pithapuram in Kakinada district, has announced his decision to contest the Pithapuram constituency against Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan. Bhaskara Rao, who has been practicing his profession under a tree in a college for the past 20 years, studied B.A in politics and is determined to address local issues in his constituency. Taking the nomination papers from the returning officer on Tuesday, Bhaskara Rao expressed his confidence in winning against Pawan Kalyan. He has been studying the problems faced by the town and has identified solutions by gathering information from various newspapers over the past four months. Acknowledging his humble beginnings, Bhaskara Rao said that he comes from a poor family and seeks support from all sections of society. He believes that the Assembly is the perfect platform to resolve the issues in his constituency and plans to prepare a manifesto soon. His campaign aims to address the needs of the people and provide solutions to the problems they face.

JSP president Pawan Kalyan files nomination from Pithapuram Assembly constituency

Among the other candidates in the fray from the constituency is Kakinada YSRCP MP Vanga Geetha

AP elections: Pawan Kalyan files nomination papers in Pithapuram

Hyderabad: Actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan filed nomination for contesting from Pithapuram Assembly constituency at Kakinada in East Godavari district on Tuesday. Pawan Kalyan, who is the president of Jana Sena, took out a massive rally from his residence in Chebrolu to proceed to Pithapuram to file nomination papers at the office of returning officer (RO) in Pithapuram. A large number of party supporters took part in the rally. Holding party flags, the supporters welcomed Pawan Kalyan all along the rally route on motorcycles and cars. Slogans like Jai Pawan Kalyan. Jai Jana Sena reverberated the rally. After passing through the main thoroughfares of Pithapuram and its surroundings, the rally concluded at Paadagaya Keshtram enable Pawan Kalyan file nomination papers.

Alliance will grab power in AP: Naidu

Kakinada/Visakhapatnam: Telugu Desam chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu has said the three-party alliance will come to power in AP and the elections were a mere formality. Addressing an election meeting in Jaggampeta in Kakinada district on Monday, Naidu said peoples urge for a change was visible all over the state. This would culminate into a wave and wash away the YSRC from power, he said. He said no one had messed up with him in his four-decades political career but Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy dared to do so and he will pay a price for it. I was a victim of Jagan Mohan Reddy along with Pawan Kalyan, Megastar Chiranjeevi, Bahubali director Rajamouli, actor Prabhas and others. He said Jagan Mohan Reddy was suffering from delusions of grandeur and, as a megalomaniac, he thinks he is greater than God. Power in such a man's hands is like a stone in a mad mans hand. He may throw it in any direction and he may even use it to injure himself. Therefore, one should be scared of him. Jagans state of mind can be gauged from the fact that he had called film stars like Mega Star Chiranjeevi, Cine hero Prabhas, Bahubali director Rajamouli and others to his residence and insulted them. Condemning the ongoing atrocities in the state, Naidu said that a woman by name K. Lakshmi from Guntur, a human rights activist, staged an agitation in New Delhi to bring the atrocities of Jagan Mohan Reddy to the notice of the Prime Minister, President and Chief Justice, by cutting her thumb. In S Kota in Vizianagaram, Naidu claimed that slogans of Jagan should go are being heard all over the state. I have seen many cyclones. But this cyclone on May 13 will wash away the YSRC and dump it in the Bay of Bengal, he said. Alleging that there was no law and order in the state, he said AP became a hub for drug smuggling, cheap liquor and land grabbing. After coming to power, the 3-party alliance would provide three cooking gas cylinders free, free bus travel for women and an unemployment stipend of ` 3,000, the TD chief promised the people.

Panic as Borewells Erupt in Flames

Kakinada: Flames erupted from borewells in two separate locations across Andhra Pradesh. The first occurred in Kasarapu Lanka village, Yelamanchili mandal, West Godavari district, while the second engulfed a borewell in Malikipuram mandal, Dr B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district. Local reports suggest that flames shot up from a borewell being dug for drinking water in Kasarapu Lanka village on Monday. Alerted by the commotion, residents immediately contacted both Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) officials and the fire department. Firefighters swiftly arrived at the scene and extinguished the blaze. While the exact cause remains under investigation, initial reports suggest the presence of underground oil residue may have contributed to the flames igniting.

Raghu Rama Krishna Raju Files Nomination as TD Candidate

Kakinada: Telugu Desam high command has officially endorsed K. Raghu Rama Krishna Raju as the party's candidate for the Undi constituency by issuing the B.Form to him in a ceremony led by TD chief N. Chandrababu Naidu. This decision comes after resolving internal disputes and convincing the sitting MLA Manthena Rama Raju to withdraw from the race, ensuring full support for Raghu Rama Krishna Raju. Rama Krishna Raju, a former MP from Narsapuram, submitted his nomination following a grand procession that commenced from Peda Amiram village in Kalla mandal and concluded at the Undi mandal headquarter. The procession showcased the unity and support from the party cadres. In his address to the gathering, Raghu Rama Krishna Raju emphasised the significance of the upcoming elections, describing them as a contest between the courage of the Godavari people and the egoism of Kadapa. He confidently predicted that after the polling day on May 13, the current Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy would refrain from appearing in public, presumably due to unfavorable survey reports. Meanwhile, Manthena Rama Raju, the former candidate for the Undi constituency, has been appointed as the Telugu Desam West Godavari district president. This appointment follows the promotion of former Rajya Sabha member Thota Sitharamalakshmi to the politburo member of the party.

AP has future only if NDA comes to power: Chandrababu Naidu

Kakinada: TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday said Andhra Pradesh has a future only if the National Democratic Alliance comprising TDP, BJP and Janasena comes to power. The opposition leader made this observation at a public meeting in Jaggampeta in Kakinada district as part of his Prajagalam election canvassing tour. The state has a 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 .

Purandeswari Vows to Address Railway Worker Concerns

Kakinada : Daggubati Purandeswari, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president, met with railway workers in Rajamahendravaram on Sunday. She addressed a gathering organised by the Bharatiya Railway Mazdoor Sangh (BRMS) and South Central Railway Karmik Sangh, promising to work towards resolving their issues. Purandeswari emphasised her commitment to the welfare of railway workers. Union leaders, including K. Arjuna Rao (Zonal Sangh President), Ms. B. Kalyani (BMS State Secretary), and Ashok Kumar, were present at the meeting.

Brahmin Associaton Demand Justice for Priest Attacked in Kakinada

Kakinada: A video of an attack on a Brahmin priest while he was performing a wedding at Mulapeta village in U.Kothapalli mandal of Kakinada District has gone viral in social media. The incident has angered the Brahmin community, who have decided to launch an agitation against the incident. Though the incident occurred 10 days ago, it came to light on Sunday. When the priest was performing a wedding, some mischievous youth covered the priest's face with an empty carry bag. When the priest expressed his anger and went ahead with the ceremony, a few more youth threw turmeric and kumkum powder on him. After the incident, the priest kept mum. But today, some of the bridegrooms relatives posted the video on social media and it has gone viral. The Brahmin Association leaders across the state have condemned the incident and demanded that the government take action against the micreants. Endowment Commissioner, S.Satyanarayana has instructed the department officials to begin a probe into the incident and take action against the culprits. Meanwhile, the Pithapuram police has started an investigating the incident, acting on a complaint lodged by the priest Achalla Suryanarayana Murthy. Suryanarayana Murthy told Deccan Chronicle that the incident happened 10 days ago. The U.Kothapalli police has registered a case.

Aditya Group Alleges Misinformation Spread Via Social Media, Seeks Action

Kakinada : Aditya Group of Educational Institutions has lodged a complaint with Kakinada district superintendent of police S. Satish Kumar on Saturday against social media posts targeting the institution. The administrative officer of the Institutions clarified in posts on Facebook and Twitter that the Institute had not suspended any student on Friday for involvement in irregularities related to the CM's convoy. The officer stated that the Institution noticed a fake notice circulating on social media and had not taken any such disciplinary action. The Institution authorities urged the police to investigate the incident and take severe action against those responsible for the misleading posts on social media. Meanwhile, the Institutions' Vice President N. Satish Reddy informed the Deccan Chronicle that he and his engineering college students were greeting Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday. While conversing with Jagan in the bus, an individual from the student group began chanting slogans in favor of the Jana Sena leader. Jagan did not seem to notice. Later, a group of individuals intentionally recorded videos and posted false allegations regarding the Institution.

Vundavalli Seeks Live Telecast of Margadarsi Case

Kakinada: Rajamahendravaram former MP Vundavalli Arun Kumar has said he will request the Andhra Pradesh High Court to allow live telecast of court proceedings in the Margadarsi case, so that people can know the law relating to chit funds. Speaking to reporters in Rajamahendravaram on Saturday, he expressed the hope that the case will come to a logical conclusion by the end of 2024. He said the High Court has directed him to assist it in the case. Arun Kumar said according to Margadarsi companys report, payments which had to be made in 2007 has been paid in 2009. The company must thus pay interest during for the two-year period. However, he said, it should be seen whether or not the company pays interest to the investors as per law. Speaking about politics, the former MP refused to comment on the winning chances of the contesting candidates in general and assembly elections in particular. He said he will not speak about politics till the end of polling.

Rajamundry: Poll officials seize gold and silver worth Rs.8.73 cr

KAKINADA: An election flying squad has seized gold and silver ornaments worth Rs.8.73 crores stacked in a container truck at Dowleswaram Police Check Post. The ornaments belong to jewellery shop at Rajamahendravaram. A total of 1.764 kilos of gold worth Rs.8.15 crores and 71.473 kilos of silver worth Rs.58.72 lakhs were found in the container while transporting it to Rajamahendravaram. The poll officials were checking vehicles at Dowleswaram check post while they found the the gold and silver ornaments found in a container, said ajamahendravaram South Zone DSP M.Ambika Prasad. The check post officials informed Returning Officer N.Tej Bharat who instructed the Assistant Returning Officer Y.K.V.Appa Rao and flying squad incharge and special executive magistrate D.Gopala Rao and team to seize and keep it in the treasury. Meanwhile, Income Tax and GST officials reached the spot and assessed the weight and value of the ornaments. Ambika Prasad said that district Grievance Committee would inquire the matter and further steps would be taken.

Rajahmundry: Polling begins in Yanam

KAKINADA: Polling started at Yanam, a legislative assembly constituency in Puducherry Lok Sabha constituency on Friday. Brisk polling is underway with 12.55 per cent turnout recorded till 9 AM. Former Minister Malladi Krishna Rao, Yanam MLA Gollapallil Srinivas along with their family members exercised their franchise. The polling exercise is progressing in 33 polling stations in Yanam.

Jana Sena leader Bonthu joins YSRC

Kakinada: Jana Sena leader Bonthu Rajeswara Rao, along with followers, resigned from JS and joined the YSRC in the presence of Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy at Tanuku on Thursday. Rajeswara Rao contested from Razole constituency on behalf of YSRC in 2014 and 2019 elections. In 2014 elections, he suffered defeat at the hands of Telugu Desam candidate Gollapalli Surya Rao. In 2019, he lost to Jana Sena candidate Rapaka Vara Prasad. Following this, Rajeswara Rao joined Jana Sena and strived hard to strengthen the party. He had been hoping that he will be given the JS ticket from Razole. However, Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan allotted Razole seat to Deva Vara Prasad. Rajeswara Rao has thus returned to YSRC on Thursday. He said Jagan Mohan Reddy is the only leader who can improve the living conditions of downtrodden sections without fail through welfare schemes. He maintained that Pawan Kalyan is not a person who can be depended upon.

Two groups within TD clash in Jangareddygudem

Kakinada: Members of two groups of Telugu Desam Party in Polavaram assembly constituency of Eluru district clashed with each other on Thursday. On the day, Telugu Desam Eluru Lok Sabha candidate Putta Mahesh Yadav and Eluru district TD president Ganni Veeranjaneyulu convened a meeting of TD leaders and cadres at Jangareddygudem. TD supporters from T. Narsapuram and Jeelugumilli mandals of Polavaram assembly segment gathered at the place. However, they did not find the image of TD Polavaram convener Borugam Srinivas on the banners at the meeting. Followers of Borugam Srinivas then started arguing with organisers of the meeting over the matter. Another group objected to this behaviour, leading to clashes. Meeting organisers Putta Mahesh Yadav and Ganni Veeranjaneyulu left the meeting at this stage.

Railway TTE Rescues Runaway Minor Boy

Vijayawada: A railway travelling ticket examiner (TTE) rescued a runaway minor boy on board train no. 17210 Kakinada Town-Bengaluru Express at Rajahmundry railway station on Thursday. Vijayawada divisional railway manager (DRM) Narendra A. Patil on Thursday said the minor boy Rehman, a 17-year-old resident of Kakinada town had failed in his intermediate board exams. After he fled from home on Wednesday evening, his parents started enquiring about his whereabouts along with his photo at the bus stand and railway station in Kakinada. Narendra Patil said licensed porters at Kakinada town station had noticed the boy boarding train no. 17210 Kakinada Town-Bengaluru Express. Following this, the boys father Usman relayed the information to his brother residing in Rajahmundry. Usmans brother arrived at Rajahmundry railway station and started enquiring about the boy with his photo. S.S. Chandramouli, chief ticketing inspector, Rajahmundry, alerted all ticket-checking staff to trace the boy. He also informed RPF and GRP. DRM Patil said at 6:43 p.m., as soon the train started rolling into the platform at Rajahmundry railway Station, TC staff and railway police started checking the general coaches at both ends of the train. They noticed a teenage boy sitting on the footboard of the train at Rajahmundry in S-11 coach. They made inquiries with the boy and gently took him to the TC office at the railway station, where his relatives identified the boy. Upon inquiry, the boy revealed that he had run away from his home in Kakinada and was contemplating to end his life. TC Staff and GRP counselled the boy and handed him over safely to his relatives after confirming with his parents. Narendra Patil commended the railway staff for ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers, especially vulnerable individuals like minors.

Nominations Filed from 23 Assembly, Two LS Constituencies in Godavari Districts

Kakinada: The process of filing nominations for the Lok Sabha and assembly elections began on Thursday in the erstwhile East and West Godavari districts with much fanfare. As many as 23 candidates filed nominations for assembly and two candidates filed their papers for the Lok Sabha constituencies. Sathi Suryanarayana Reddy of Aravalli village in Attili mandal of West Godavari district filed his nomination from Narsapuram Lok Sabha constituency on behalf of Indian National Congress. In East Godavari district seven candidates filed their nominations, including Telugu Desam candidate Adireddy Srinivas who reached the polling station in a huge procession. Talari Venkateswara Rao and Talari Param Jyothi filed nominations on behalf of YSRC from Kovvuru constituency. YSRC candidate Geddam Srinivasa Naidu filed nomination from Nidadavolu constituency. Gopalapuram Telugu Desam candidate Madditpati Venkata Raju also filed his nomination. Kakinada district collector J. Nivas said that four candidates filed their nominations for assembly constituencies in the district. In Konaseema district, Pilli Surya Prakash and Rajya Sabha member Pilli Subhashchandra Bose filed nominations from Ramachandrapuram assembly segment on behalf of YSRC. Chilurumilli Kirankumar filed nomination as an independent candidate from Mummidivaram assembly segment and also Amalapuram assembly constituency on behalf of Jana Sena. In Eluru district, Alapati Narasimha Murthy of Munduru village in Pedavegi mandal filed nomination on behalf of Indian National Congress from Denduluru assembly segment. Liberation Congress Party candidate Mendem Santhosh Kumar filed nomination from Eluru Lok Sabha constituency. YSRC candidate and former deputy chief minister Alla Kali Krishna Srinivas alias Nani filed his nomination from Eluru assembly segment. Jana Sena party candidate Chirri Balaraju filed his nomination from Polavaram assembly segment.

YSRCs Vanga Geetha Faints While Campaigning

KAKINADA: YSRC Pithapuram candidate Vanga Geetha fainted while campaigning in the hot sun at F.K. Palem village in Pithapuram mandal on Thursday. Her supporters immediately shifted her to her camp office in Pithapuram. Doctors who treated her said she had suffered a sunstroke. YSRC sources said Geetha had been having high fever during the past two days. Yet, she continued her campaign, going house to house and meeting every family. On Thursday, her BP and sugar levels increased and she fainted. Dr. Jagan Mohan, who is treating her, said she should take rest for at least 48 hours. Geetha is taking her campaign very seriously as YSRC had pitted her against film star and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan, who is the NDA alliance candidate from Pithapuram assembly constituency.

Divisional TTE rescues minor boy contemplating suicide at Rajahmundry station

Divisional TTE rescues minor boy contemplating suicide at Rajahmundry station In a heroic act, a Railway Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) on Wednesday rescued a runaway minor boy who was considering dying by suicide aboard the train Kakinada Town-Bengaluru at Rajahmundry Railway Station. The 17-year-old minor boy named Rehman, a resident of Kakinada Town, after failing in Intermediate Board Exams fled from home warning parents of dying by suicide at around 4:30pm on Wednesday. After the boy ran away from home, parents started asking local people regarding his whereabouts at Railway Station and Bus Stand in Kakinada. Licensed Porters who noticed the boy boarding the train Kakinada Town- Bengaluru at Kakinada Town Station informed the aggrieved parents upon identifying the photo. After getting the information from Licensed Porter, the boy's father Usman relayed the information to his brother residing at Rajahmundry. The Relatives of the boy approached Rajahmundry Railway Station and started enquiring for the boy with his photo. Chief Ticketing Inspector S S Chandramouli, at Rajahmundry Station after paying attention to their grievance, alerted the rest of the ticket checking staff to trace the boy on incoming Seshadri Express. Chandramouli informed the escort RPF and GRP and Rajahmundry Station RPF regarding the incident and shared the boy's photo. At 6.43 pm, as soon the train started rolling into the platform at Rajahmundry railway Station, TC Staff and Railway police started checking the General Coaches at the both ends of the train. CTI Chandramouli noticed a teenage boy sitting on the foot board of the train at Rajahmundry in S-11 Coach. As soon as the train stopped he immediately went into the Bogie and enquired about the boy regarding his whereabouts. After much persuasion, he gently took the boy to TC office on Railway Station, where the relatives confirmed and identified the boy. Upon inquiry, the boy revealed that he had run away from his home in Kakinada due to desperate consequences and was contemplating dying by sucide. TC staff and GRP counselled the boy and handed him over safely to his relatives after confirming with their parents. The boy's parents and relatives expressed their gratitude to S.S. Chandramouli, CTI and the RPF for their timely intervention, which saved their son's life. Sr. DCM Vijayawada ,Vavilapalli Rambabu praised and congratulated the Ticket Checking Staff at Rajahmundry for rescuing the minor boy. Narendra A. Patil, Divisional Railway Manager, Vijayawada Division commended the selfless act of S. S. Chandramouli, CTI, Rajahmundry for his exemplary efforts in tracing the minor boy. Narendra A. Patil, DRM said that such incidents highlights the importance of human compassion and the role of railway staff in ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers, especially vulnerable individuals like minors. (ANI)

U. Kothapalli backing Jagan for returning KSEZ land

Kakinada: People of U. Kothapalli, which falls under Kakinada Special Economic Zone (KSEZ), are backing Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. They are grateful that for the first time in India, a CM has returned lands acquired by the government back to farmers. Agitation by people living in KSEZ area has been going on for more than two decades. When Telugu Desam chief N. Chandrababu Naidu had been an opposition leader from 2004 to 2014, he promised farmers that he will give back their lands acquired for the special economic zone. However, after assuming charge as chief minister, Naidu went back on his promise. During the 2019 elections, Jagan Mohan Reddy, as the opposition leader, promised farmers that he will return their lands. After assuming charge as Chief Minister, he formed a committee and returning back their lands along with documents. We cannot forget Jagans help. Farmers are breathing easy after getting back their lands. No government has taken such a favourable step for farmers so far, said Y. Prasada Reddy, one of KSEZ areas leaders. Farmers are backing YSRC candidate Vanga Geetha. They say her win will be their gift to Jagan Mohan Reddy for helping them. Fishermen of U. Kothapalli too want Jagan Mohan Reddy to compensate them. They say after formation of the KSEZ, they have been prohibited from fishing. The Chief Minister extended compensation of 10,000 to each family, an amount that is extended to all fisherfolk when there is the annual ban on fishing in sea, so that fish could rejuvenate during their breeding season. However, the fishermen want a substantial compensation, pointing out that after Aurobindo has laid a pipeline in the sea, they are having trouble fishing. YSRC leaders within the fishing community are pinning their hopes on Jagan Mohan Reddys meeting to be held at the Achampet junction as part of his Memanta Siddham bus yatra.

Kakinada MP suffers sunstroke during campaign

Sri Rama Navami Celebrated with Zeal Across Andhra Pradesh

Kakinada: Sri Rama Navami was celebrated with fervour and traditional gaiety across Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday. Devotees thronged temples and pandals and participated in the divine celebrations commemorating the birth of Lord Rama. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams marked the festivities with a ceremonial Dhwajarohanam at the Sri Kodanda Rama Swamy temple in Vontimitta, Kadapa district, signalling the commencement of the annual Brahmotsavams. The temple is set to celebrate the auspicious Sri Sita Ramula Vari Kalyanam on April 22. At the hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala, TTD observed Sri Rama Navami Asthanam ritual. After the daily rituals, temple priests performed the sacred Snapana Tirumanjanam to the idols of Lord Sri Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, and Hanuman. Later in the day, the deity was taken out in a procession through the mada streets on Hanumantha Vahanam. Later, the pundits read out Sri Rama Jananam in Sri Rama Navami Asthanam, which took place near Bangaru Vakili inside the hill temple at around 10pm. The Sri Kodanda Rama temple in Tirupati witnessed similar celestial fervour, with a Snapana Tirumanjanam performed in the morning and an Asthanam in the evening. The Pedda Jeeyar Swamy of Tirumala presented new Vastrams to the presiding and Utsava deities, followed by Rama's celestial ride on Hanumantha Vahana. Meanwhile, Hindu shrines across the state celebrated the Sri Sita-Ramulavari Kalyanam in a grand manner, attracting devotees in large numbers. Priests elucidated the significance of Rama Navami, emphasizing the enduring legacy of Lord Rama's righteous rule. Spiritual fervour marked the celebrations at the famous Kodanda Ramalayam at Rama Mandiram, Seetha Ramachandra Swamy temple (Governorpet), and other Sri Rama temples in Vijayawada and its surroundings. Rama Navami pandals were erected in various localities, where priests distributed Panakam and Vadapappu as prasadam to the devotees. Similar grand celebrations were held in the Sri Sitaramanjaneya Swamy and other Ram temples in Mangalagiri, Ramanama Kshetram, Kodanda Ramalayam, and other temples in Guntur, as well as in Nandigama, Aitavaram, Mylavaram, Nuzvid, Penamaluru, Machilipatnam, Gudivada, Gannavaram, and other areas. Visakhapatnam witnessed a vibrant celebration of Ram Navami, with traditional ceremonies and public events organized by various temples and associations. The Ambika Bhag (part of Kanaka Mahalakshmi temple), Simhachalam temple, commissioner's office, and Ramalayam temple within the city police barracks hosted the 'Sri Rama Kalyanam' ceremonies. The Marwadi association also organised a Shoba Yatra, a procession commemorating the occasion, filling the streets with devotional fervour. The Srirama Navami Festival was celebrated in Godavari districts. The Sitha Rama Kalyanams were held in every Vaishnava and Shiva temples, by following the traditions and customs. Many devotees thronged the temples and took Prasadams and auspicious rice of the Kalyanam. The temples were decorated with illuminations and garlands. Many political leaders participated in the Srirama Kalyanam in their respective constituencies.

Grand Srirama Shobha Yatra in Rajamahendravaram

Kakinada: A large number of devotees took out a grand Sri Rama Shobha Yatra in Rajamahendravaram on occasion of the Srirama Navami festival on Wednesday. They gathered under the banner of Srirama Utsava Samithi on bikes holding saffron flags. They then went in a procession through the city from Pushkara Ghat to A.V. Appa Rao Road via Aryapuram, Kambala Tank, Danavaiypeta, Old Somalamma Temple, RTC Complex Road, Syamala Centre and Godavari Bund. BJP state president Daggubati Purandeswari flagged off the bike rally. Telugu Desam Rajamahendravaram Urban candidate Adireddy Srinivas, Swamy Kamalananda Bharati and others participated in the event. Speaking on the occasion, Kamalananda Bharati said Lord Srirama is an inspiration for the universe. He led his life with righteousness even though he faced many difficulties. He stressed on the importance of saving the Hindu Dharma during the present times. Utsava Samithi chairman Karri Rama Reddy said they have been organising the Srirama Shobha Yatra for past two years. He said this year, Rama Navami is of great significance as Bala Ramas idol has been set up in Ayodhya.