Nellore: Veligonda Project Sadhana Samiti leaders Vadde Srinivasulu and Kollur Ravikiran Sarma of Botlagudur village in Pamuru mandal of Prakasam district are all set to file nominations for Varanasi Lok Sabha seat against Prime Minister on Monday, the last day to submit nominations in UP.
“We chose to contest against the Prime Minister to highlight the perennial shortage of drinking water, regular drought, besides fluoride and kidney problems in Prakasam district, at the national-level,” Mr Sarma said.
Mr Sarma is a purohit for 10 villages while Mr Srinivasulu is a software engineer working in L&T in Bengaluru. Both have been fighting for remedial measures to fluoride and kidney ailments haunting western parts of Prakasam.
They had floated Veligonda Project Sadhana Samiti along with likeminded friends around five years ago as supplying potable drinking water from Veligonda was the only solution to prevent serious health problems in the region. They are also demanding an exclusive Corporation to deal with fluoride and kidney diseases and to assist the victims.
Mr Sarma said that he was moved by the plight of the people due to recurring drought. “The people have been openly admitting their inability to offer even paltry sum for the rituals I perform at their home,” he said.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle over phone from Varanasi, Mr Sarma said that he and Mr Srinivasulu reached Varanasi on April 21 and opened bank accounts, after depositing `25,000 each, as per the directions of election officials.
However, attempts by Mr Sarma and Mr Srinivasulu to file nomination failed twice as the proposers they picked locally were unsuccessful in giving satisfactory answers to the election officers over their acquaintance with the duo.
