Neta Natter | Naidu lives up to a promise

Making promises before elections is easy, even if it means shouting them out while riding a bicycle. Once elected, and in power, the very same promises suddenly turn into a long and impossible uphill ride. Such is the fix that AP’s irrigation minister Nimmala Ramanaidu finds himself in, in his constituency Palakollu in West Godavari district. During the campaign, he toured the constituency on a bicycle, his TD election symbol, promising that the TD government will pay `15,000 to every school child regardless of the number of school-going children. With no sign of this promise materialising, Ramanaidu is facing some distinctly uncomfortable moments each time he steps into his constituency. But hope may be on the horizon for Ramanaidu with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu recently promising to pay the amount under the Talliki Vandanam scheme from May. Will the promised promise shower funds on families, or will disappear like a wisp of cloud on a hot summer afternoon, remains to be seen.

Kavitha hears a Kamareddy katha

Scoring political points is never an easy task, particularly when it comes to touchy subjects as one never knows from where a fly will land in the ointment. Such appeared to be the case with the BRS in Nizamabad. At a recent meeting that BRS MLC K. Kavitha held with leaders from BC communities in Kamareddy, the town where Congress made its BC Declaration, the one person absent was Gampa Goverdhan, a five-time former MLA, with his followers losing no time in accusing Kavitha of ignoring the real BC leaders in the district all along. Kavitha’s meeting was all about being in the public eye than any real purpose in terms of fighting for rights of BC communities was their allegation. The attacks did not stop there, with them alleging that the party high command has not really stepped up in this fight.

The tall and short of politics

Walking tall? Or, Get Shorty? Don’t confuse what’s been happening in Nalgonda district with movie titles such as these. Apparently with full faith in not leaving any stone unchucked at political opponents, leaders in the district have been having a go at one another, targeting the build of their opponents. This has been happening for some time with body shaming attacks on one another to score a political point. Ministers from the district N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and Komatireddy Venkat Reddy have been targets for a while of BRS leaders K.T. Rama Rao and G. Jagadish Reddy who pointed out how the tall and heavy-built ministers did nothing for the district. Apparently at the end of his rope, Komatireddy the other day hit back at Jagadish Reddy pointing to the latter’s short stature. Both sides have been having a go at it leaving people wondering when the body shaming attacks will stop.

Babu vs neta: The battle continues

It’s not uncommon for a bureaucrat and a politician to be on the same dais, but a recent event in Jagtial district showed that the twain seldom meet when it comes to issues. It all began with Jagtial additional collector B.S. Latha, speaking at a ‘Young Parliament’ event declared that politics have become “self-serving” and democracy wasn’t functioning properly anymore. She even took a swipe at how politics in places like Delhi was becoming “polluted.” But then, the local MLA Dr S. Sanjay Kumar, also on the stage, interrupted her mid-speech, pointing out that her comments on politics and corruption weren’t appropriate for the event. Though the official sought to clarify that her words had been misunderstood and promised to retract them if necessary, tension simmered. She left before the MLA got his turn to speak, leaving the students and other attendees wondering if the awkward showdown between a bureaucrat and politician is what governance is all about.

Kakani applies ‘vanishing’ cream

Once a force to be reckoned with in Nellore politics, Kakani Govardhan Reddy, who was here, there and everywhere until the recent past, appears to have mastered the art of invisibility. The former MLA and YSRC district president, who once thundered that he feared neither the police, nor cases filed against him, has now seemingly developed an intense fear of both — vanishing just when the police went knocking in connection with a case related to illegal mining of quartz deposits. A dash by the police to Hyderabad with summons in hand ended up with them finding that Kakani had again pulled the disappearing act leaving the cops with no option but to hand over the summons to his relatives. But then Kakani called the Nellore Rural DSP on the phone and assured him that he would appear on Thursday for questioning. But that day came, and went, with Kakani nowhere to be seen, leaving people wondering if one-time warriors, powered by political power, when out of it prefer to run rather than at least put up an appearance of a fight.

Fine rice cooks up a political biryani

Once the quiet corner for the economically weaker sections, Telangana’s ration shops have become the hottest political stage in cities, towns and villages. All thanks to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s ‘sanna biyyam’ scheme, which is dishing out premium rice — normally costing over `50 a kg in the open market — absolutely free. This fine rice, once a status symbol for the well-heeled, is now filling plates in modest homes. The result? Mile-long queues, emotional gratitude from women, and ‘No Stock’ boards popping up faster than poll campaign posters. Enter BJP. Smelling political grains, saffron leaders are camping outside ration shops, telling beneficiaries that it’s actually Prime Minister Narendra Modi footing the bill — `40 per kg to be precise — while Revanth merely contributes `10. Modi posters are mushrooming near the sacks of rice at the PDS outlets. Not to be outdone, Congress workers are pasting Revanth’s face on shop walls and asking, “If Modi loves rice this much, why is sanna biyyam missing in BJP-ruled states?” With `13,000 crore per year financial burden in play, Telangana’s ration shops aren’t just feeding stomachs — they’re fuelling a full-blown political drama.

Bhuvaneshwari spots woman behind man’s success

The foundation stone ceremony at Varun Bay Sands Foundation in Vizag recently turned into an impromptu masterclass about humility, and the role of women, when it comes to success of an enterprise. Making this point was Nara Bhuvaneshwari, wife of AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. While Varun Group chairman V. Prabhu Kishore praised Bhuvaneshwari’s managerial prowess — she runs a large business very successfully — Bhuvaneshwari decided to return the favour, but with a twist. She praised Kishore’s entrepreneurial skills and management abilities, but swiftly pivoted to highlight the unsung hero — or heroine — of his success, his wife, Lakshmi, and expressed disappointment at Lakshmi’s sacrifices being overlooked. This was enough for Lakshmi to be invited on to the dais amidst a room full of knowing smiles, with Bhuvaneshwari’s candid remarks finding their mark.

Chevireddy switches to silent mode

Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, YSRC’s in-charge for the Ongole Parliament constituency, seems to be on an extended break, just when his party needed him the most. It all began last month with former YSRC minister Balineni Srinivasa Reddy, also from Ongole, launching a scathing attack on Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy at a Jana Sena meeting, accusing him of grabbing his assets and hinting at more revelations. As Ongole’s YSRC in-charge, Chevireddy was expected to respond but chose to remain silent. While Jagan himself is reported to have confronted Chevireddy on this indifference, whispers within the YSRC suggest that Chevireddy has moved from being an aggressive loyalist to a cautious bystander, leaving his silence speak louder than his words.

Contributions from Pathri Rajasekhar, Aruna, Vadrevu Srinivas, L. Venkat Ram Reddy, P. Srinivas, Narender Pulloor, Avinash P. Subramanyam, Puli Sharat Kumar