Royals pitted against each other

Vizianagaram: The coming general elections are very much special for people of Vizianagaram district as the scions of royal families are contesting. The members of royal families are not new to the ballot battle but here first time the fathers and daughters of royal family are contesting from same constituency. Fathers and daughters of both Kurupam and Vizianagaram Samsthanams are contesting in the elections.

Raja of Vizianagaram Samsthanam P Ashok Gajapathi Raju is contesting for Lok Sabha from Vizianagaram constituency on behalf of TDP. At the same time, his daughter Aditi Gajapathi, is contesting as MLA on behalf of TDP. The both father and daughter are jointly visiting the wards and meeting the voters, seeking their support. Ashok Gajapathi Raju is appealing public to bless her daughter.

Meanwhile V Kishore Chandra Deo, a senior Congress leader, who joined TDP recently, is contesting as MP from Araku Valley constituency for Lok Sabha and interestingly his daughter V Sruthi Devi is contesting from Congress party against him as MP. Here the dad and daughter became rivals as they are contesting against each other.

Sruthi Devi is also participating in campaign and interacting with the voters. The cadre has clarity at Vizianagaram as the both father and mother are contesting from same party and the followers can easily meet the voters and speaking on behalf of Ashok and Aditi, but the cadre of Kurupam are in dilemma as the both Kishore and Sruthi Devi are contesting from two different parties and the mandal level leaders are not in a position to decide with whom they need to walk and campaign.

A mandal-level leader from Kurupam Assembly constituency stated,"We have been with Kishore family for the past few decades and supporting Congress but now suddenly he is contesting from TDP and his daughter is from the Congress.

Our subconscious mind is directing us for to work for the Congress but our leader is with the TDP. So, we can't conclude with whom we need to work. This is a troubling situation for the leaders like us," he said. Actually, Aditi and Sruthidevi used to campaign for their fathers in previous elections. The daughters toured in villages and urged the voters to bless their fathers but now they individually contesting and want to prove themselves, he said.