Congress strong attempt for resurgence in Chittoor

Tirupati: The Congress party is making a determined bid for its resurgence in Chittoor where it was a force to reckon till 2014.

The grand old party is almost in oblivion after it was decimated in 2014 general elections in the aftermath of bifurcation of the State.

Thanks to the rapidly changing political scenario in the State witnessing the ruling TDP extending an olive branch to Congress at the national-level to take on the formidable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who become an arch rival for TDP after it quit the NDA alliance, giving the much needed reprieve to the State Congress.

The national leadership on its part seems to be doubly careful in the selection of candidates for contesting the ensuing election so as to not to miss the congenial political environment.

Accordingly, in Chittoor district, the party saw only those remained with the party in its difficult period given ticket for contesting the election as part of its efforts to reward the committed workers to rejuvenate the party.

A glance at the list of Congress candidates contesting the elections this time in Chittoor district reveal that almost all the Congress candidates fielded are with Congress background and working for the party.

Tirupati Assembly candidate K Pramila is the granddaughter of well-known freedom fighter late Nagari Varadhachar, one of the prominent leaders who led the freedom movement in the district.

The 72-year-old woman leader serving the party for over 40 years was for long Mahila Congress district president and now holding the position of PCC secretary was chosen by the party ignoring many strong contenders to contest the election.

Penubala Chandrasekhar also from Congress family contesting for Satyavedu Assembly (Reserved) seat is also working sincerely for the last 20 years for the party following his father Dr Penubala Penchalaiahfootsteps.

Penchalaiah worked along with late Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Indira Gandhi was instrumental in getting many developmental initiatives for the State.

Chandrasekhar declined the offers from other parties and decided to remain loyal to the party.

Another old guard of the party is Dr Bathaiah Naidu contesting for Srikalahasti Assembly.

Bathaia despite facing many odds remained steadfast in leading party in Srikalahasti where he contested in 2014 also.

The most interesting case is Rakesh Reddy, State Youth Congress president contesting for Nagari Assembly.

The party rewarded the youth leader for his services to the party ignoring former Minister R Chenga Reddy, who tried his best to get the ticket for his family but in vain.

Sources said he even tried to meet Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi on the ticket issue, but the national leadership went with Rakesh Reddy.

The party fielded the same candidate a practicing doctor Narasimhulu for GD Nellore, who unsuccessfully fought in 2014 but remained in the party. In Chandragiri too, KP Vasu, a young leader and party's Chandragiri mandal president was given ticket duly taking into account his services and loyalty to the party.

Same is the case with the candidates MN Chandrasekhara Reddy former ZPTC member, who fought as Congress candidate for Thamballapalle in 2014 from where he is again contesting, Dr Suresh in Kuppam and Parthasarathy Reddy in Palamaner.

Party senior leader Mangati Gopal Reddy said that this time the party high command adopted a clear-cut policy of giving ticket to only those who are loyal and working for the party and remained with the party in its turbulent period. This was to boost up their morale for rebuilding the party in the district.