With poll schedules expected to be announced in a week, hectic activity in the political parties is generating enough heat to elevate the mood to a feverish pitch. After warming up with road shows and yatras, political leaders and film stars are hitting the campaign trail already.

Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy on Thursday kicked off a chopper yatra to officially inaugurate, commission or lay foundation stones of more than a dozen government projects. In the next four days, the CM will hop through 10 districts which is expected to be his last official tour before election schedules are announced and the Election Commission's model code conduct comes into force. Former Indian cricket captain Mohammed Azharuddin who is expected to join Congress on Thursday at New Delhi has caused considerable excitement in the Congress camp and he will seen very soon testing political waters.

"A number of sitting MLAs are doing the rounds of Congress office because many are aware that they might be axed this time. Hectic parleys, meetings and consultations are going on at the Gandhi Bhavan. Election schedules and CM's tour is also being planned,'' says APCC spokesperson Venkatashwara Paladugu.

After attacking the Andhra Chief Minister in New Delhi and seeking a probe against him, the Telugu Desam Party has chalked out a grueling state-wide tour for its star campaigner, popular film star N Balakrishna who will be later joined by TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu. Balakrishna has already kicked off his tour and is currently addressing massive public meetings in Rayalaseema region including Anantapur, Kurnool and Mahbubnagar districts. Grandson of N T Rama Rao, Junior NTR, who is also an actor will be touring north Coastal Andhra districts later this month. The TDP-led 'grand alliance' is busy holding meetings with its partners - CPI, CPM and TRS - to discuss seat-sharings and campaign schedules

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