Parties get into election mode after EC announces poll dates

Hyderabad: Political parties formally got into election mode after the Election Commission announced the schedule for the general and state elections on Wednesday. The poll battle in the state has an added edge. Though it will be held in undivided Andhra Pradesh, the focus of the elections will be on the two states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh that will be born immediately afterwards.

Stretching the organisational capabilities of the parties will be the simultaneous campaign that will be going on for the municipal polls in all the urban areas of the state, except Hyderabad. An added worry for the parties is that the outcome of the civic polls could be known about a month before the elections. Parties fear that the results, if announced, could influence voting in the general elections.

“It’s certainly a tough time for parties to gear up for three polls, select candidates and hit the road. Moreover, the results of the municipal elections, if announced earlier, will impact general elections. said Ch Vidyasagar Rao, former Union minister.

He noted gravely: “Black money will be out.” TRS politburo member B. Vinod Kumar said that people would vote for parties that fight corruption, are committed to promises and focus on development. He wanted the Election Commission to keep the municipal election results on hold till the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls are completed. “As the government has banned exit polls, the results of municipal elections too should be held back till the general elections are over,” he said.

Hours after the Election Commission announced the general election schedule, all parties got busy with meetings. PCC president Botsa Satyanarayana held a meeting with district unit leaders while TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao convened meeting of party leaders to chalk out the plan for the ensuing municipal polls.