On poll pitch, Congress banks on glamour quotient

HYDERABAD: The Congress is adding some glamour quotient to give fillip to its last-minute campaigning and improve its electoral prospects.


Mega star Chiranjeevi, silver screen beauties Nagma and Khushboo are expected to hit the campaign trail in Chevella, Secunderabad, Malkajgiri and other constituencies during the last two days of campaign. “Chevella sitting MP Konda Vishweshwar Reddy is keen to h av e these film stars campaign for him and hold roadshows. Chiranjeevi, who is a relative of Konda family, is coming back from Japan on Sunday. He has given his nod to participate in roadshows,” a senior leader working for Vishweshwar Reddy told STOI.

Though both Nagma and Khushboo were supposed to hit the campaign trail by now, their entry was delayed due to ill-health. They are expected to come on either April 8 or 9. The only popular actress who has been involved in fullfledged campaigning in almost all the constituencies has been Vijayashanti.

Though Telangana Congress leaders have urged the party high command to send former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu for a day’s campaign, Sidhu is reportedly in high demand in Hindi-speaking belt.

Former Union minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Rajasthan deputy CM Sachin Pilot are flying down on Sunday. They would be addressing a public meeting in Chevella on Sunday evening. Azad is likely to campaign in Nizamabad where Madhu Yashki Goud is pitted against sitting MP K Kavitha of TRS and D Arvind of BJP.

Telangana Congress treasurer Gudur Narayana Reddy said though Sonia Gandhi was supposed to address a public meeting, it is likely to be cancelled. “We had planned her public meeting on April 8 but police denied permission on the grounds that CM KCR’s rally is also scheduled the same day in Chevella,” he said.