HYDERABAD, Feb 2: The perceptible increase in the mass base of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to result in a keen triangular fight in many constituencies in Andhra Pradesh, upsetting the calculations of both the principal parties -- the Congress and the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP).Almost all the previous elections in the state were a direct contest between the two major parties, except in one or two constituencies. The ensuing elections to the Lok Sabha will, however, witness a different scenario as an upbeat BJP is expected to give a tough fight in at least a dozen constituencies, even if the end result may not be in its favour.
There are three constituencies in the coastal region -- Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam and Kakinada -- where a keen triangular contest is on the cards.
In Srikakulam, the fight will be between Union Minister K Yerran Naidu (TDP), former minister D Prasada Rao (Congs) and MLA H Appayya Dora of the NTR-TDP, an ally of the BJP. While the TDP and Congress nominees areVelamas, Dora is a Kalinga, a community which is widely represented in the constituency.
The entry of former mayor D V Subba Rao into the BJP has thrown up a similar situation in Visakhapatnam. Sitting Congress MP T Subbarami Reddy and P Ananda Gajapati Raju of the Telugu Desam are the main contestants here. Visakhapatnam being an urban seat, Subba Rao's connections as a former mayor and his belonging to the dominant Brahmin community are likely to matter.
In Kakinada, the battle is between sitting TDP MP Thota Gopalakrishna, former MP M M Pallamraju Cong) and actor Krishnam Raju (BJP). The entry of former minister and Kapu leader M Padmanabham into the BJP has strengthened the position of Raju. Both the Congress and TDP candidates belong to the Kapu community. The scenario is likely to be more interesting in Telangana where the BJP has a stronger base compared to other regions of the state. Even as two old rivals -- Union Minister S Jaipal Reddy (contesting on JD ticket), and PCC chief Mallikarjun --are battling it out in Mahboobnagar, the BJP is not be ignored either. The BJP, which has fielded A P Jitender Reddy, polled more than one lakh votes in the previous elections.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
