Fear Of Losing Grips TDP As Election Date Looms Large In Nandyal 

Nandyal: The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is gripped with a fear of losing the Nandyal by-election as evident from its actions to lure voters by hook or crook.

The TDP has gone to the extent of disobeying the Election Commission (EC) guidelines to woo the voters. It may be recalled that campaigning for the by-elections ended on Monday evening. Subsequently, the EC directed the political parties to end their campaign and told non-local leaders to leave the constituency. However, several non-local TDP MLAs were seen camping in remote villages past the EC deadline. At some of the villages, the TDP leaders were seen distributing cash to voters in order to "buy" their votes. Interestingly, the price of each vote varies from village to village and the TDP gauges the mood of the electorate in the area before beginning the distribution of cash. The prices ranged from Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000 in some villages toured by TDP leaders. However, Udumalpuram village was a classic case in this regard with voters getting as much as Rs 10,000 from the TDP leaders.

After resorting to cheap tactics such as raiding the houses of YSRCP leaders at midnight, foisting false cases against YSRCP cadre, making false promises to people about development and using abusive language against YSRCP leaders, the TDP has now stooped to a new low with distribution of cash. Besides, distribution of sarees, nose studs and sewing machines is another infamous tactic by TDP leaders to lure women voters.