Vijayawada: Tension has been prevailing in the camps of TD and YSRC though they have been expressing confidence of winning maximum seats and forming the government in Andhra Pradesh. The reason for YSRC cadre being tensed is that though majority agencies showed a clear sign for victory of the party, some pollsters had given advantage to TD. They are now anxiously waiting for May 23, the Vote Counting Day.
Especially, former MP Lagadapati Rajagopal, who is called Andhra Octopus, predicted clear majority to TD. Though he was miserably wrong in his predictions in Telangana Assembly polls in 2018, TD leaders and cadre are this time confident about his exit poll prediction. Mr Rajagopal had an enviable track record, until Telangana Assembly prediction.
“After he got it wrong last time, what we heard is that with vengeance, Mr Rajagopal has done the survey for Andhra Pradesh this time in a more scientific manner, covering all the constituencies. This time we are confident that his prediction will come true and TD will retain power,” a TD leader said.
However, a survey conducted by Hyderabad based I News-i Pulse also gave out an analysis backing their projections. Hyderabad based i-Pulse survey agency had predicted that YSRC will bag 110 to 120 seats and TD only 55-62. As per its analysis, loyalty of youth and new voters who have gravitated towards YSRC will be defining factors.
“Well appreciated is the health coverage scheme, ie. Medical expenses above Rs 1,000. Schemes announced under Navaratnalu programme have also helped YSRC. Though people are satisfied with N. Chandrababu Naidu’s leadership, dissatisfaction among ground-level TD leaders in the villagers favoured YSRC. The result of elections cannot be considered as a dissatisfaction vote. Since people seem to be satisfied with the government’s benefits, so it is not an anti-incumbency vote against the government but it is a positive vote for a chance towards a change in leadership,” said the i-Pulse analysis.
