Owk agrees as Naidu frowns at poor roads

OWK, (KURNOOL DISTRICT): Despite being in Rayalaseema and bordering chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy���s home district Kadapa, Kurnool presents a picture in contrast. While Kadapa appears to be pampered, it is not the case with Kurnool. Driving home this point tellingly is a stretch of about 12 km between Kolimigundla touching National Highway 7 to Owk mandal in Banaganapalle assembly constituency.There is no road on this stretch and it is basically a muddy trail.
Campaigning in this assembly constituency on Sunday, TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu used the example of lack of roads to whip up resentment against sitting Congress Banaganapalle MLA Ch Ramakrishna Reddy. ���How can you tolerate such an MLA who has not done a single thing for you,��� he asked the people at a meeting in Owk mandal and they responded with fervour. The fight in this assembly seat is triangular between the Congress, TDP and PRP.
Owk mandal, which has been the Congress bastion, appears to be speaking out against the ruling party, if the crowd that came for Naidu���s meeting is an indicator. ���No Congress minister or leader has dared to travel by this 12 km stretch supposedly called road. Naidu has done it now,��� said cool drink shop vendor Timma Reddy.
Dalits, who form a sizable section of the electorate, appear to be an angry lot. ���We have to always stand with folded hands in front of Ramakrishna Reddy,��� said dalit woman Laxmi Devi. TDP sources claimed the fight here is between the TDP and PRP. While the TDP has fielded Y Venkat Reddy as its candidate, the PRP has put up Katasani Ram Reddy, who is said to be a close relative of the TDP candidate.
The anger against the two-time Congress member was evident as people braving the hot sun waited on the road side in Owk mandal, Banganapalle and Betamcharla to hear Naidu. Travelling by his prachara ratham, Naidu made brief speeches at Owk where he acknowledged the problems of the local people and promised to create infrastructure facilities like roads, drinking water etc. His mention of giving free colour TV and cash transfer scheme evoked a loud response.
Naidu���s convoy from Kolomigundla to Owk and other places was a modest one. Villages received him with beating of drums enroute. The TDP chief concluded his road shows in the district at Kurnool town.