TDP hopeful of winning 3-4 seats in bypolls

HYDERABAD: The spirited electioneering launched by the ruling Congress for the upcoming by-elections seems to be turning positive for the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). The TDP hopes to win in three to four Assembly constituencies since the traditional Congress vote would split between the ruling party and the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP).TDP leaders claim that their candidates were giving a good fight in as many as nine constituencies out of the 18 segments, where bypolls are due.“Of the 18 constituencies, we are strong and giving a good fight in nine segments. We are sure to win in at least six Assembly constituencies,” a TDP politburo member said. Though the YSR Congress seems to be strong in several Assembly segments, but it appears that the Congress vote bank did not shift completely to YSR Congress in some segments. The ruling Congress is pumping huge money and also giving a spirited fight politically. The Congress may not erase its base completely in the byelections. According to TDP estimates, the party is sure of winning Payakaraopet and Prattipadu Assembly segments.This time the TDP leaders are said to be pinning their hopes on Narasannapet (Srikakulam), Anantapur (Urban), Rayadurgam (Anantapur), Tirupati, Yemmiganur and Polavaram segments.In Tirupati, the dissidence in the Congress is giving some relief to TDP.Meanwhile, minister Galla Aruna Kumari was also unhappy with the choice of Congress candidate in Tirupati as she was keen on son being fielded from there.