These days, areas under Amberpet assembly constituency come alive with hues of contrast. Flags aflutter, vehicles decked up with banners, mikes blaring out songs, and tours under the harsh sun are, of course, common to all contestants.
But there are differences in the localities of thrust, in the extent of campaign, and of course, each has his own style. For incumbent legislator G. Kishen Reddy, it is a brisk walk amid fanfare through the lanes and by-lanes of his constituency which gets him close to the voters.
Sporting a saffron kurta-pyjama and a smile, he puts his palms together in ‘Namaskar’ to random people on the roadside, balconies and shops and shakes hands with passers-by. Megaphones all along his route and rose petals from balconies are arranged by enthusiastic BJP cadre.
Stopping by at local leaders’ places and known traders is a must. So is posing at tea stalls, in invocation of ‘chai-wallah’ image. Caps and umbrellas in saffron add to the flourish, along with pamphlets and flags.
“I strived for school buildings, substations, and water reservoirs, apart from pensions to many. I also have a blemishless track record,” Mr. Reddy says. On the other side of the constituency, it is Sharath Naliganti, a first-timer fielded by MIM, who flashes his gleaming smile and raises his hand in reflexive ‘Aadaab’ to greet passers-by. A bunch of local leaders and a few students from Osmania University walk behind Sharath who is dressed in jeans and sneakers, and sports a garland and an armband. Though low on fanfare, he strikes a chord with youth by shaking hands and hugging them and with women and elders by bending down to seek their blessings. He also made it a point to visit every church in the constituency on Good Friday, urging parishners’ support in defeating Mr. Reddy whom he calls ‘South Modi’.
“My main thrust will be unity of Dalits and Muslims to defeat the ‘South Modi’. Many people are unhappy about the lack of development here,” he says.
Meanwhile, it is virtual home-coming for Congress veteran V. Hanumantha Rao, after being away from State Assembly for nearly 20 years. Hailing from the locality, he is recognised and received with warmth. Elders identify him as a ‘boy’ who played in the streets not long ago.
“I will work on the long pending projects including a girls high school. Also, I will try to get land for a graveyard for Muslims,” he promises.
