Allagadda: Late Allagadda MLA B. Shobha Nagi Reddy could become the first deceased person to be elected to the Legislative Assembly if the sympathy wave that the YSR Congress is banking on in the region works.
Shobha Nagi Reddy’s family would be especially counting on the women voters in the constituency to vote for her although there are some people who think that it is illogical to vote for someone after his or her death.
However, there seems to be a sympathy wave sweeping the town and its surrounding villages and it remains to be seen what the voters will decide on polling day.
The Election Commission had decided to allow Shobha’s name to remain in the fray. A by-election will be held if she wins.
Meanwhile, the late leader’s family is confident of a win with a majority of one lakh votes. Shobha’s daughter, B. Akhila Priya said that the people of the constituency were with her and she was confident of a huge victory, terming the polling only a formality.
“Definitely, there is a sympathy wave sweeping through the region. And women’s votes are important,” a YSR Congress party worker said.
Women constitute about 48 per cent of the 2-lakh electorate. “We have been voting for her since she has been contesting, though she changed parties. And we will continue to do so even now,” said Renuka, a resident of Allagadda.
The TD that fielded Gangula Prabhakar Reddy in Allagadda also feels that the women voters could swing it in Shobha’s favour, as the local women were “very emotional”.
However, there is a section of the electorate that feels that it was illogical to vote for a deceased person. TD candidate Prabhakar Reddy’s brother and former MP G. Pratap Reddy said, “We have a clear mandate based on development. It is sad that she passed away. I don’t think I should comment any more.”
Allagadda faced two by-elections. Mr Reddy’s faction has a vote bank of 51,000 votes while Shobha had won the last by-election with 80,000 votes.
