Congress rebel begins campaign

Warangal: Former Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) Director Rajanala Srihari, who is contesting from Warangal East Assembly constituency, has kick-started his poll campaign here on Wednesday.

What is interesting is that Srihari, the last Director of the SAAP in undivided Andhra Pradesh, had begun his electioneering after taking the blessings of the Grand Old Man of Indian sport Jammalamadaka Pitchaiah, who played 15 ball badminton nationals between 1955 and 1970 and received Arjuna Award.

Srihari is also a sportsperson and held the post of SAAP Director in the past. Incidentally, Pitchaiah and Srihari were the first and the last SAAP Directors in united AP respectively. The 102-year-old Pitchaiah, not only blessed Srihari but also gave him Rs 501 as election donation. Further, the centurion said that it’s unfortunate that Congress didn’t give ticket to Rajanala Srihari, who has been working for the party for about three decades.

It may be noted here that Srihari, who is holding the post of Greater Warangal Congress Working President, filed his nomination papers on November 12 as a rebel candidate. The ruling TRS and the Congress-led Mahakutami are yet to announce their candidates. Srihari received a good response in Mugdumpura, NTR Nagar and Gowtham Nagar under 29thDivision of the Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation.

During the campaign, Srihari appealed to people to consider him as the rebel candidate of the Congress and vote for him. He said that Congress not only ignored loyal party workers but also diluted the concept of social justice while giving preference to parachuters and affluent sections.

“Leaders like me, who have clean record, have been shown the door while giving preference to those, who have come up with money bags,” Srihari said, accusing the Congress leadership of making mockery of loyalty.

Goremiya, Md Ghouse, Khaja Pasha, Suresh, Sudhir, Raju, Mahesh, Sathish Kumar, Sekhar, Venugopal, Moiz, Suvarna, Kavitha, Ranjitha, Sandhya, Prasanna, Jannu Prameela, Yakubee and Jayamma were among others who accompanied Srihari during his campaign.