Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu has promised many sops to the voters and other last-minute doles that allegedly cost the state exchequer over Rs 200 crores.
On March 29, filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma tweeted the sketch of a man back-stabbing a still from his latest release, a biopic on Andhra Pradesh바카라s former chief minister N.T. Rama Rao. It took social media by storm as the man in the sketch closely resembled Chandrababu Naidu, CM and NTR's son-in-law. Varma바카라s tweet apparently alluded to alleged attempts by Naidu to stall the release of Lakshmi바카라s NTR ahead of the April 11 polls, when the state votes to elect a new government and 25 MPs.
But even before the film made the headlines, Naidu was aware of the potholes ahead, as he battles anti-incumbency and a stiff challenge by his main rival, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) led by Jaganmohan Reddy. Many pollsters are predicting a YSRCP sweep.
Naidu is under pressure after some recent developments. The first was the alleged murder of Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy, brother of the late YSR Reddy, Jaganmohan바카라s father. The YSRCP wasted no time in hinting at a political angle into the incident. Then, acting on a complaint by YSRCP, a court reversed Naidu바카라s decision to stall the transfer of the state intelligence chief. The EC also replaced chief secretary Anil Chandra Punetha. TDP supporters, however, say the EC바카라s actions were at the behest of the YSRCP바카라s 바카라secret ally바카라, the BJP.
No wonder, Naidu isn't taking chances, promising many sops to the voters바카라enhanced financial assistance to women, 100 per cent hike in pension, employment opportunities and other last-minute doles that allegedly cost the state exchequer over Rs 200 crores. The voters are, in fact, spoilt for choice with YSRCP바카라s manifesto too promising the moon. 바카라Our conservative estimate is to win minimum 100 seats of the 175 assembly seats and 20 out of 25 Lok Sabha seats,바카라 says an aide of strategist Prashant Kishor, who is helping Jagan.
Pawan Kalyan바카라s Jana Sena could queer the pitch for YSRCP in some constituencies. Otherwise, his party too could fade away, just like that of his elder brother and 바카라mega star바카라 Chiranjeevi, who tried his hand in politics but disappeared within no time. Chiranjeevi merged his Praja Rajyam Party with the Congress after a miserable performance in 2004. Despite its fascination for film stars-turned politicians, Andhra Pradesh is also very choosy.