Andhra Pradesh: Entrepreneurs diversification into politics
Several entrepreneurs, realtors and big businessmen are contesting the Lok Sabha and AP Assembly polls. Despite being highly successful in their respective fields, they have entered the fray with a motto to serve the people. However, their electoral fortunes will be decided by voters. Here is a look at prominent contestants Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar The TDP candidate from Guntur Lok Sabha seat is an entrepreneur. Dr Chandra Sekhar co-founded UWorld, initially aiming to address the scarcity of quality study material for the US Medical Licensing Exam during his medical residency. He started his journey from writing case-based learning questions to the establishment of UWorld, revolutionising medical education resources. With a a stint at Johns Hopkins University, Dr Chandra Sekhar brings both medical expertise and entrepreneurial acumen to the political arena. He hails from Burripalem village in Guntur district Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar T Uday Srinivas The Jana Sena Party candidate for Kakinada parliamentary constituency, brings a unique blend of entrepreneurial spirit and grassroots connection to the political forefront. Leaving a lucrative job in Dubai, he ventured into business back in India, eventually establishing the highly successful Tea Time chain. Since its humble beginning in 2016, with just one outlet in Rajahmundry, Tea Time has burgeoned into a network of nearly 3,000 outlets across various States in India with hundreds of crores of business turnover. He hails from Kadiyam village in East Godavari district MVV Satyanarayana He is contesting from Visakhapatnam East Assembly constituency against TDPs Velagapudi Rama Krishna Babu. He started MVV Builders in the 1990s, headquartered in Visakhapatnam. The company has achieved significant growth over two decades, establishing a strong presence in Visakhapatnams real estate market and expanding into Hyderabad. Additionally, he founded MVV Cinema, a film production firm. He and his family own shares worth Rs 82,57,36,598 in MVV Builders, Rs 4,47,31,726 shares in MVV Cinema and Rs 76,49,86,468 shares in MVV Housing MVV Satyanarayana CM Ramesh The BJP candidate for Anakapalle Lok Sabha segment, is the chairman of Rithwik Projects Pvt Ltd, which was set up in 1999 and has grown to a turnover of more than Rs 1,000 crore within a short span. The company is one of the leading infrastructure developers in India, and has interests in energy, roads, irrigation projects, and property development. Rithwik Projects is a major player in the infrastructure development sector across India. It also holds important government contracts. Incorporated in 1999 in Hyderabad, the firm company is working on government projects. He takes on Budi Mutyala Naidu Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy The TDP candidate for Nellore parliamentary constituency, is the founder of VPR Mining Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, established in 2008. Under his leadership, the company has undertaken diverse projects across India. Notably, VPR Mining has collaborated on numerous government initiatives with entities. Additionally, it has been involved in various irrigation projects, executing heavy excavations for government bodies such as AP Irrigation and CAD, Telangana Irrigation and CAD, and the Water Resources Department of Maharashtra. His rival is V Vijayasai Reddy of YSRC Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy
Septuagenarians ready for ballot battle in Andhra Pradesh
A cohort of septuagenarians are in the poll fray to continue the stranglehold on their respective Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies in Andhra Pradesh. With their rich political experience, these veterans are expected to be the guiding force for the young brigade in the development of AP on all fronts. A look at the veterans of ballot battles. Nara Chandrababu Naidu, 74 The TDP supremo is contesting for the record 10th time to the Andhra Pradesh State Assembly. The former Chief Minister ventured into politics during his college days and first contested as an MLA from Chandragiri in 1978 on Congress ticket and won. He lost the election in 1983. Later, he joined the TDP and contested the election from Kuppam Assembly constituency in 1989. Since then, he has remained undefeated. He served as Chief Minister of AP thrice. He is contesting from Kuppam constituency for the eighth consecutive time. Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy, 71 The Energy Minister is also contesting for the record 10th time to the State Assembly. He first contested as an MLA from Piler on Janata Party ticket, but lost, In 1985, he contested the same seat on Congress ticket and lost. He entered the Assembly for the first time from Piler in 1989. In 2009, he won from Punganur. In 2014, he won from the same Assembly seat on YSRC ticket. He has remained undefeated since then, and is now contesting for the fourth consecutive time from Punganur. Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, 70 He entered politics at a very young age and won the elections in 1998, 2004 and 2009 from Ongole Lok Sabha seat on Congress ticket. In 2014, he contested as Ongole MP on TDP ticket and lost. He won the poll on YSRC ticket in 2019. In February, he rejoined the TDP. Now, he is in the poll fray from Ongole Lok Sabha seat. Simhadri Chandrasekhar Rao, 70 The renowned oncologist is making his electoral debut from Machilipatnam Lok Sabha constituency on YSRC ticket. Son of renowned lawyer and former MP Simhadri Satyanarayana, who held portfolios of Endowments and Commercial Taxes in the Cabinets of NT Rama Rao and N Chandrababu Naidu, he was initially made YSRC incharge of Avanigadda Assembly constituency. Later, the YSRC leadership had changed its decision and fielded him from Machilipatnam Lok Sabha seat. Adala Prabhakar Reddy, 75 In his 25 year political career, he won on TDP, Congress and YSRC tickets. After quitting the TDP, he joined Congress and won from Sarvepalle constituency in 2004 and 2009. Later, he joined the YSRC and won from Nellore Lok Sabha constituency. Now, he is contesting from Nellore Rural against K Sridhar Reddy of TDP. Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, 71 He started his political career by contesting from Nellore Assembly seat in 1983 on TDP ticket, and became a minister in NTRs first cabinet. In 1985, he won from Rapur. In 1991, he joined the Congress. He served as a minister for four times. In 2018, he joined the YSRC and won from Venkatagiri. In 2023, he was suspended from the YSRC. The six-time MLA, is contesting for the 10th time on TDP ticket, from Atmakur. Gorantla Butchaiah Chowdary, 78 The veteran Telugu Desam leader won from Rajahmundry Assembly constituency for the first time in 1983. He lost in 1989, but won the subsequent two elections. However, he lost the next two Assembly elections. In 2014, he shifted to Rajahmundry Rural Assembly constituency and won. He has been the general secretary of the TDP. He served as the civil supplies minister in NT Rama Raos cabinet. He retained the Assembly seat in 2019. He is in the election fray for the 10th time, and contesting from Rajahmundry Rural segment. Velagapalli Varaprasad, 71 After taking voluntary retirement as an IAS officer, he joined Praja Rajyam Party and contested from Tirupati Lok Sabha constituency in the 2009 elections and lost. Later, he joined the YSRC and contested from Tirupati Lok Sabha seat and won. In the 2019 elections, he contested from Gudur Assembly constituency and won. He quit the YSRC on March 24, 2024 and joined the BJP. Now, he is in the fray from Tirupati Lok Sabha constituency on BJP ticket
AP: 503 nominations for 25 Lok Sabha seats; 2,705 for 175 Assembly seats okayed
VIJAYAWADA: In all, 503 nominations for 25 Lok Sabha constituencies and 2,705 papers for 175 Assembly segments in the State have been approved after scrutiny, informed Chief Electoral Officer Mukesh Kumar Meena on Saturday. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is April 29. The final list of candidates in the fray for the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections will be out after the withdrawal of nominations. As many as 686 nominations were filed for 25 Lok Sabha constituencies, and 3,644 for 175 Assembly seats. The CEO informed that 183 nominations for parliamentary constituencies and 939 papers for Assembly segments were rejected in scrutiny. The highest number of 47 nominations were filed for Guntur parliamentary constituency and the lowest number of 16 for Srikakulam. The highest number of 36 nominations were approved for Nandyal Lok Sabha constituency and the lowest number of 12 for Rajahmundry. While the highest number of 52 nominations were filed for Tirupati Assembly constituency, Chodavaram got the low number of eight. The highest number of 48 nominations were approved for Tirupati Assembly segment, and the lowest number of six for Chodavaram, the CEO added.
EC accepts 503 nominations for LS, 2,705 for Assembly polls in Andhra Pradesh
As many as 939 nominations out of 3,644 papers received for Assembly elections were also rejected following scrutiny, he added. For Parliament constituencies, Nandyala Lok Sabha segment saw the highest number of accepted nominations at 36 after scrutiny, while Rajahmundry saw the lowest number at 12, said Meena in a release.
Cash, Items of Rs 165.91 Crore Seized in AP After Release of Election Schedule
Vijayawada: Chief Electoral Officer Mukesh Meena has said cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals, free bees and other items worth more than Rs 165.91 crore have been seized since the announcement of the election schedule in AP. He said that as the general elections are slated for May 13 in the state, a strong vigil has been kept on the illegal transportation of cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals etc that might be distributed by candidates or parties to attract voters. Through inter-state as well as other check posts in the state, more than 20 enforcement agencies such as police, excise, income tax, forest, ED, NCB, RPF, customs etc are on constant vigil against illegal transportation of cash and goods for election-related canvassing. Illegally transported assets worth Rs 8.65 crore have been seized in the last 24 hours alone. The highest amount of Rs 30.66 crore was seized in Anantapur LS constituency and the lowest amount of Rs 1.15 crore in Narsapuram LS. The total amount seized till date was Rs 36.89 crore in cash, 6,62,402.65 litres of liquor worth Rs 20.32 crore, 52,28,218.94 grams of drugs worth Rs 2.78 crore, 14,73,734.46 grams of precious metals worth Rs 91.26 crore, 4,88,557 items worth Rs 2.90 crore, Freebies (freebies) and other items worth Rs 11.74 crore were seized, he said. In Tirupati (SC), Rs 19.37 crore was seized; Kakinada Rs 18.18 crore, Elur Rs 13.77 crore, Visakhapatnam Rs 12.50 crore, Rajampet Rs 6.96 crore, Vijayawada Rs 6.75 crore, Nandyala Rs 5.63 crore, Kadapa Rs 5.62 crore, Narasaraopet Rs 4.61 crore, Vizianagaram Rs 4.18 crore, Bapatla (SC) Rs 3.99 crore, Anakapalli Rs 3.72 crore, Rajahmundry Rs 3.62 crore, Srikakulam Rs 3.61 crore, Araku (ST) Rs 3.37 crore, Nellore Rs 3 crore, Machilipatnam Rs 2.87 crore, Guntur Rs 2.75 crore, Kurnool Rs 2.45 crore, Chittoor (SC) Rs 1.94 crore, Ongole Rs 1.93 crore, Hindupur Rs 1.63 crore and in Amalapuram (SC) Rs 1.52 crore.
PM Modi to campaign in Andhra Pradesh on May 3, 4
VIJAYAWADA : Giving the much needed boost to the saffron party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will conduct electioneering for the candidates of the tripartite alliance for two days. BJP State vice-president Vetukuri Suryanarayana Raju said the Prime Minister would tour the State on May 3 and 4. According to party leaders, the itinerary would be planned in the next couple of days by the State leadership. The national leadership has just given us the days when the Prime Ministers programmes could be accommodated. We are chalking out the tour schedule, the leaders said. Sources said the State unit had earlier sent a proposal for the PM to address meetings at four places. The BJP is contesting six MP and 10 MLA seats in the State along with the TDP and JSP. Modi had earlier addressed a public meeting at Chilakaluripet after the alliance was announced. We are planning two or three public meetings and a roadshow of the Prime Minister in which the alliance partners will also participate, the sources said. Modi is likely to campaign in Rajahmundry, Anakapalle and Rajampet where the partys candidates are contesting. He may also campaign in Vijayawada Lok Sabha constituency where TDP candidate Kesineni Sivanath (Chinni) is in the fray. BJPs YS Chowdary is contesting from Vijayawada West constituency. Sources said that the party had initially planned Modis campaign in Tirupati, from where it is contesting and won the Lok Sabha seat earlier, but later favoured Rajampet. The BJP is of the view that Modis campaign in Rajampet would boost the party prospects where Kiran Kumar Reddy is pitted against MP PV Midhun Reddy.
SCR Announces Cancellation, diversion and Rescheduling of Trains
Visakhapatnam : The South Central Railway has announced the cancellation, diversion and rescheduling of trains due to non-interlocking works for the commissioning of the 3rd line between Bona Kalu-Chinta Kani-Pandillapalli and Errupalem-Tondalagopavaram-Madhira stations over the Kazipet-Vijayawada section. Diversion of trains: Diversion via Vijayawada-Duvvada-Vizianagaram-Rayagada-Raipur-Nagpur: Train No. 20805 (Visakhapatnam-New Delhi) and Train No. 20806 (New Delhi-Visakhapatnam) will be diverted from their existing routes to pass through Vizianagaram, Rayagada, Titlagarh, Raipur, and Nagpur. Stoppages will be eliminated at Anakapalle, Samalkot, Rajahmundry, Tadepalligudem, Eluru, Vijayawada, Khammam, Warangal, Peddapalli, Ramagundam, Sirpur Kagaznagar, Balharshah, and Chandrapur stations. Train No. 20803 (Visakhapatnam-Gandhidham) and Train No. 20804 (Gandhidham-Visakhapatnam) will also follow this diverted route, with Stoppages were eliminated at certain stations. Diversion via Vijayawada-Duvvada-Vizianagaram-Rayagada-Raipur-Nagpur: Train No. 18519 (Visakhapatnam-LTT) and Train No. 18520 (LTT-Visakhapatnam) will be diverted through Vijayawada-Guntur-Pagidipalli-Secunderabad route instead of the existing route via Kazipet. Stoppages will be eliminated at Kazipet station. Similarly, other trains like Train No. 18045 (Shalimar-Hyderabad), Train No. 18046 (Hyderabad-Shalimar), Train No. 11019 (CSMT-Bhubaneswar), and Train No. 11020 (Bhubaneswar-CSMT) will be diverted via this route, with specific stoppages eliminated. Diversion via Vijayawada-Guntur-Nandyal-Guntakal-Ballari: Train No. 18112 (Yeshvantpur-Tata) will follow this diverted route with stoppages eliminated at Raichur, Yadgir, Chittapur, Tandur, Vikarabad, Lingampalli, Secunderabad, Moula Ali, Warangal, and Khammam stations. Elimination of stoppages: Stoppages at Madhira Station for certain trains, including Train No. 11020 (Bhubaneswar-CSMT Konark Exp), Train No. 12861 (Visakhapatnam-Mahbubnagar Exp), and Train No. 12862 (Mahbubnagar-Visakhapatnam Exp) will be eliminated on specific days. Rescheduling of trains: Additionally, there will be rescheduling of trains, including Train No. 20833 (Visakhapatnam-Secunderabad Vande Bharat) and Train No. 20834 (Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat) with varying reschedule times at Visakhapatnam and Secunderabad stations on specific dates. The South Central Railway advises passengers to check updated schedules and plan their travel accordingly, considering the diversions and rescheduling of train services due to the ongoing non-interlocking works.
SCR and IRCTC launch affordable meal counters across key stations
HYDERABAD: As a part of an Indian Railways initiative, the SCR, along with IRCTC, is providing meals at affordable prices across 23 counters at 12 stations, including Hyderabad and Vikarabad stations. The meals have been named economy and snack meals. While the former is priced at Rs 20, the latter costs Rs 50. These meals, along with water facilities, are available at counters located near general second-class (GS) coaches on platforms. The zone is also providing the meals at Vijayawada, Renigunta, Guntakal, Tirupati, Rajahmundry, Pakala, Dhone, Nandyal, Purna, and Aurangabad railway stations. Based on the success of a pilot project across around 51 stations last year, the Indian Railways decided to expand the programme, with counters operational at over 100 stations and nearly 150 counters in total. The initiative is slated for further growth, encompassing even more stations in the near future.
Indian Railways Introduces Affordable Economy Meals at Select Stations
Hyderabad: The railways will provideeconomymeals at affordable pricesto rail passengersin the summer. The facility will be available at 12stationsnear the general coaches, a statement said. There are two categories, the economy meal which costs `20 and thesnackmeal which comes at `50. Passengers can buy their refreshments directly from these counters, eliminating the need to search for vendors or venture outside the station In the South Central Railway (SCR) zone, the facility will be available atHyderabadandVikarabad in Telangana; Vijayawada, Renigunta, Guntakal, Tirupati, Pakala, Rajahmundry, Dhone and Nandyal in Andhra Pradesh and Purna and Aurangabadin Maharashtra. SCR General ManagerArun Kumar Jainsaid a pilot project of the servicewasrunsuccessfully at 51 stations last year acrosstheIndian Railways. Overall, these meal counters are operational at over 100 stations and nearly 150 counters across Indian Railways, and the facility will be expanded further.
BMW driver, pal held for Hyderabad womans suicide
HYDERABAD: A woman who was worried that her son would be in trouble after he was involved in an accident causing damage to a BMW car, ended her life at Film Nagar here on Thursday. Surya Kumari, who worked as a security guard at a private hospital, and her husband Venkata Ramana, a labourer, relocated from Rajahmundry to the city for a living. Her son, a class 9 student in a government school, found himself involved in an ordeal that would forever alter the course of their lives. The young boy, eager to explore his surroundings, took his mothers scooty for a joyride. However, he collided with a BMW car in the busy streets of Film Nagar. They boy got into an argument with the BMW car driver who called his friend and the duo seized the two-wheeler. They threatened the boy to bring his father and take the scooty and also pay `20,000 for repairs to the car. The boy called his mother and told her what happened. Surya Kumari who had no means to meet the demand became panicky. She and her husband returned home and decided to negotiate with the drivers. Weighed down by the problem, the poor woman took her life in a bid to spare her family from further anguish. Acting swiftly on the complaint lodged by Venkata Ramana, Film Nagar police arrested the two drivers, identified as Chandrashekar and Mahesh, and charged them with abetment to suicide. They were remanded in judicial custody.
Rajahmundry: Polling begins in Yanam
KAKINADA: Polling started at Yanam, a legislative assembly constituency in Puducherry Lok Sabha constituency on Friday. Brisk polling is underway with 12.55 per cent turnout recorded till 9 AM. Former Minister Malladi Krishna Rao, Yanam MLA Gollapallil Srinivas along with their family members exercised their franchise. The polling exercise is progressing in 33 polling stations in Yanam.
Day 1 sees 39 nominations for Lok Sabha and 190 for assembly seats in AP
VIJAYAWADA : As many as 39 contestants filed 43 sets of nominations for the 25 Lok Sabha constituencies in Andhra Pradesh on the first day of filing nominations. However, no nominations have been received on the day for Araku, Srikakulam, Amalapuram, Rajamahendravaram and Machilipatnam seats. With regard to the 175 Assembly constituencies, 190 candidates filed 236 sets of nominations on the first day of nominations in Andhra Pradesh. No nominations have been filed from Assembly seats including Palasa, Pathapatnam, Srikakulam, Narasannapeta, Rajam, Palakonda, Parvathipuram, Salur, Cheepurupalle, Gajapathinagaram, Visakhapatnam East, Visakhapatnam South, Visakhapatnam West, Chodavaram Madugula, Araku Valley, Paderu, Payakaraopeta, Tuni, Prathipadu, Pithapuram, Peddapuram, Anaparthy, Mummidivaram, Razole, Gannavaram, Kothapeta, Rajanagaram, Rajahmundry Rural, Jaggampeta, Achanta, Palacole, Narasapuram, Bhimavaram, Undi, Tanuku, Tadepalligudem, Ungutur, Chinthalapudi, Gudivada, Kaikalur, Pedana, Avanigadda, Penamaluru, Vijayawada East, Ponnur, Vemuru, Repalle, Tenali, Yerragondapalem, Addanki, Santhanuthalapadu, Kandukur, Markapuram, Nellore city, Sarvepalli, Gudur, Badvel, Rayachoti, Pulivendula, Kamalapuram, Allagadda, Nandikotkur, Panyam, Banaganapalle, Dhoni, Pattikonda, Mantralayam, Alur, Guntakal, Madakasira, Penukonda, Kadiri, Puthalapattu and Kuppam. Prominent among those who filed nominations are Y.S. Sujana Chowdhary from Vijayawada West, Nara Lokesh from Mangalagiri and Payyavula Keshav from Uravakonda.
Railway TTE Rescues Runaway Minor Boy
Vijayawada: A railway travelling ticket examiner (TTE) rescued a runaway minor boy on board train no. 17210 Kakinada Town-Bengaluru Express at Rajahmundry railway station on Thursday. Vijayawada divisional railway manager (DRM) Narendra A. Patil on Thursday said the minor boy Rehman, a 17-year-old resident of Kakinada town had failed in his intermediate board exams. After he fled from home on Wednesday evening, his parents started enquiring about his whereabouts along with his photo at the bus stand and railway station in Kakinada. Narendra Patil said licensed porters at Kakinada town station had noticed the boy boarding train no. 17210 Kakinada Town-Bengaluru Express. Following this, the boys father Usman relayed the information to his brother residing in Rajahmundry. Usmans brother arrived at Rajahmundry railway station and started enquiring about the boy with his photo. S.S. Chandramouli, chief ticketing inspector, Rajahmundry, alerted all ticket-checking staff to trace the boy. He also informed RPF and GRP. DRM Patil said at 6:43 p.m., as soon the train started rolling into the platform at Rajahmundry railway Station, TC staff and railway police started checking the general coaches at both ends of the train. They noticed a teenage boy sitting on the footboard of the train at Rajahmundry in S-11 coach. They made inquiries with the boy and gently took him to the TC office at the railway station, where his relatives identified the boy. Upon inquiry, the boy revealed that he had run away from his home in Kakinada and was contemplating to end his life. TC Staff and GRP counselled the boy and handed him over safely to his relatives after confirming with his parents. Narendra Patil commended the railway staff for ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers, especially vulnerable individuals like minors.
Divisional TTE rescues minor boy contemplating suicide at Rajahmundry station
Divisional TTE rescues minor boy contemplating suicide at Rajahmundry station In a heroic act, a Railway Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) on Wednesday rescued a runaway minor boy who was considering dying by suicide aboard the train Kakinada Town-Bengaluru at Rajahmundry Railway Station. The 17-year-old minor boy named Rehman, a resident of Kakinada Town, after failing in Intermediate Board Exams fled from home warning parents of dying by suicide at around 4:30pm on Wednesday. After the boy ran away from home, parents started asking local people regarding his whereabouts at Railway Station and Bus Stand in Kakinada. Licensed Porters who noticed the boy boarding the train Kakinada Town- Bengaluru at Kakinada Town Station informed the aggrieved parents upon identifying the photo. After getting the information from Licensed Porter, the boy's father Usman relayed the information to his brother residing at Rajahmundry. The Relatives of the boy approached Rajahmundry Railway Station and started enquiring for the boy with his photo. Chief Ticketing Inspector S S Chandramouli, at Rajahmundry Station after paying attention to their grievance, alerted the rest of the ticket checking staff to trace the boy on incoming Seshadri Express. Chandramouli informed the escort RPF and GRP and Rajahmundry Station RPF regarding the incident and shared the boy's photo. At 6.43 pm, as soon the train started rolling into the platform at Rajahmundry railway Station, TC Staff and Railway police started checking the General Coaches at the both ends of the train. CTI Chandramouli noticed a teenage boy sitting on the foot board of the train at Rajahmundry in S-11 Coach. As soon as the train stopped he immediately went into the Bogie and enquired about the boy regarding his whereabouts. After much persuasion, he gently took the boy to TC office on Railway Station, where the relatives confirmed and identified the boy. Upon inquiry, the boy revealed that he had run away from his home in Kakinada due to desperate consequences and was contemplating dying by sucide. TC staff and GRP counselled the boy and handed him over safely to his relatives after confirming with their parents. The boy's parents and relatives expressed their gratitude to S.S. Chandramouli, CTI and the RPF for their timely intervention, which saved their son's life. Sr. DCM Vijayawada ,Vavilapalli Rambabu praised and congratulated the Ticket Checking Staff at Rajahmundry for rescuing the minor boy. Narendra A. Patil, Divisional Railway Manager, Vijayawada Division commended the selfless act of S. S. Chandramouli, CTI, Rajahmundry for his exemplary efforts in tracing the minor boy. Narendra A. Patil, DRM said that such incidents highlights the importance of human compassion and the role of railway staff in ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers, especially vulnerable individuals like minors. (ANI)
Doctors in fray to gauge peoples pulse
VIJAYAWADA: Medical professionals getting elected to the legislative bodies is not new. Andhra Pradesh has a history of several doctors contesting the elections and successfully entering the State Assembly. Who can forget that former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy was a doctor by profession? This time too, several doctors are contesting the Lok Sabha and Assembly seats. Here are some names Seediri Appalaraju He did his MBBS from Rangaraya Medical College in Kakinada and MD from Andhra Medical College in Visakhapatnam. Practised for 10 years as a doctor, before taking the plunge into politics in 2019. He joined the YSRC, contested Palasa Assembly seat, won, and became a minister in YS Jagan Mohan Reddys Cabinet. Now, he is contesting the same seat on YSRC ticket Tale Rajesh This 43-year-old candidate hails from a political family. His father Tale Bhadrayya represented Palakonda twice as an MLA. He did MBBS, DNB (Orthopedic Surgeon), and worked at Durgabai Deshmukh Hospital. He joined the YSRC and is now contesting the Rajam Assembly seat Chetti Tanuja Rani A medical professional with a specialisation in epidemiology, Rani holds a medical degree from the International School of Medicine-International University of Kyrgyzstan. Before her political journey, she served as a medical officer in ASR District Medical and Health Office in Paderu. Daughter of former BSNL officer Syam Sunder and nurse Varalakshmi, Tanujas political entry marks a significant transition. Her father-in-law is Araku MLA Chetti Palguna, and her husband Vinay is an active member of the ruling party. She is contesting from Araku, the largest Lok Sabha constituency in Andhra Prades on YSRC ticket Dasari Sudha Dasari Sudha She did her MBBS from Kurnool Medical College in 1999 and worked as a doctor in a private hospital in Kadapa. Her husband Dr G Venkata Subbaiah was Badvel MLA and died of illness in 2021. She contested on YSRC ticket in the byelection and won with a thumping majority. Byreddy Sabari Her father Byreddy Rajasekhar Reddy is a former minister. She worked as a gastroenterologist at Yashoda Hospital in Hyderabad and earned acclaim for her surgical expertise. She started her political career with the BJP, and recently joined TDP. She is contesting from the Nandyal LS seat. Sathi Suryanarayana Reddy Sathi Suryanarayana Reddy A medical professional, who did his MS in General Surgery from University of Mysore, plunged into politics and joined the Congress in 2011. He joined the YSRC in 2014, and unsuccessfully contested from Anaparthi. In 2014, he won the seat and the YSRC has fielded him again from Anaparthi. Guduri Srinivas A noted pulmonologist, he did his MBBS from Rangaraya Medical College, Kakinada, and was a gold medalist. Later, he did his DLO (ENT and MD (Pulmonology). He worked as a Professor of Pulmonary Medicine at GSL Medical College for 10 years. He established a 100-bed Cardio Respiratory Centre -- Vijaya Bharathi Chest Institute in Rajahmundry. Taking a plunge into politics, he joined the YSRC. He is contesting the Rajahmundry Lok Sabah seat now. ME Sunil Kumar He is a medical professional from a political family. Sunils father K Eranna is a former MLA from Madakasira belonging to the TDP. Sunil, who did his BDS from Vijayanagara Institute of Medical Sciences, worked as a doctor in a government hospital in Hindupur. Deciding to follow the footsteps of his father, he joined the TDP. He is in the election fray from Madakasira constituency. M Sudheer Reddy Hailing from a political family, he did his MBBS from Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Science, Mandya, Karnataka. Later, completed his Diploma in Anesthesia. Nephew of ex-minister MV Mysura Reddy, he joined the YSRC in 2011 and contested for the first time from Jammalamadugu in 2019 and won. He is in the election fray from the same segment.
Two Drug Peddlers Arrested With 28 GM MDMA Worth Rs 5.70 Lakh
Hyderabad: Madhapur police arrested two interstate drug peddlers who both are students, and seized 28 grams MDMA and two mobile phones worth Rs 5.70 lakh from their possession. The accused G Shyam Babu (22), a B. Tech student from Rajahmundry who was recently released from jail, procured MDMA from a Nigerian in Bangalore, police said. Babu was selling the contraband to customers in Rajahmundry on April 4 when he met Katuri Surya Kumar (22) an engineering student. They went to Bangalore and bought 30 grams of MDMA from Nigerian Solman and came to the city on Tuesday, police said. Based on a tip-off, they were arrested in Madhapur while they were trying to sell the contraband to customers on Tuesday. Solman is absconding.
AP HC Dismisses Petition on Jana Sena Symbol
Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh High Court has dismissed a petition on Election Commission of India (ECI) allocating the glass tumbler symbol to Jana Sena Party for contesting the forthcoming elections. A single judge bench headed by Justice B. Krishna Mohan delivered this verdict here on Tuesday. Rajahmundry-based Rashtriya Praja Congress (Secular) founder president Meda Srinivas had filed the petition challenging ECIs decision to allot glass tumbler as symbol to the Jana Sena. Jana Senas counsel Venugopala Rao argued that the ECI allotted the symbol on first-cum-first-served basis. ECIs counsel Avinash Desai said as per rule, an application should be submitted for allotment of symbol six months before completion of term of the assembly comes to an end. The term of the current assembly would end on June 11. As JS had applied for allocation of the symbol on December 12, it had been taken into consideration, Desai maintained. Though the arguments had been completed earlier, the High Court had reserved its verdict on April 4 and delivered it on Tuesday.
Visakhapatnam-Guntur Simhadri Express Assistant Loco Pilot Praised Hailed for Heroism
VISHAKHAPATNAM: Rajahmundry assistant loco pilot, G. Rajat Kumar, is being hailed a hero for his quick thinking and bravery in ensuring the safety of passengers aboard the Visakhapatnam-Guntur Simhadri Express on Saturday. The incident unfolded when the alarm chain was pulled unauthorisedly between Gollaprollu and Pithapuram stations. With the train halting on a bridge, accessing the device from the side became impossible. Undeterred by the risk involved, Kumar crawled underneath the carriage in the sweltering heat to reset the alarm, sustaining minor scrapes in the process. His commendable act ensured the train's journey resumed within 30 minutes. N.K. Mohan, the loco pilot, and Kumar's swift response and dedication to duty were lauded by Narendra A Patil, the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Vijayawada Division, South Central Railway (SCR). The DRM commended this incident as a shining example of the professionalism and commitment displayed by railway staff during challenging situations. He urged passengers to refrain from pulling the alarm chain unless absolutely necessary, emphasising it's a punishable offense under the Indian Railways Act.
South Central Railway Announces Summer Special Trains to Cuttack
As many as 97.61 per cent of the 67,749 non-gazetted employees of South Central Railway voted in favour of going on strike. As many as 97.61 per cent of the 67,749 non-gazetted employees of South Central Railway voted in favour of going on strike. Visakhapatnam: The South Central Railway (SCR) has announced the operation of special summer trains between Hyderabad and Cuttack to cater to the increased demand during the season. These special trains will operate on a weekly basis, offering a convenient travel option. Train number 07165 will depart Hyderabad for Cuttack every Tuesday, starting April 16, 2024. The return train, number 07166, will leave Cuttack for Hyderabad every Wednesday, starting April 17, 2024. The services will continue until May 1, 2024. The trains will halt at major stations, including Secunderabad, Nalgonda, Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Bhubaneswar. This ensures easy access for passengers traveling along the route. To secure your seat on these special trains, booking your tickets in advance is recommended. Bookings can be made through the Indian Railways website or at railway reservation counters.
Visakhapatnam-Rajahmundry passenger train to be cancelled from April 11 to 28
Vijayawada: Telugu Desam chief N. Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan to take up a poll campaign called Praja Galam jointly for two days covering Tanuku, Nidadavole, P. Gannavaram and Amalapuram Assembly segments on April 10 and 11. TD chief Naidu and Pawan Kalyan will take part in the road show and junction meeting to address the people at Tanuku covering Narsapuram Lok Sabha segment at 4 pm and they will also attend the road show and junction meeting at Nidadavole at 7 pm on April 10. This covers Rajahmundry Lok Sabha segment. On April 11, Naidu and Pawan Kalyan will attend the road show and junction meeting at P. Gannavaram (SC) covering Amalapuram Lok Sabha segment at 4 pm and both will conduct the road show and junction meeting at Amalapuram (SC) covering Amalapuram Lok Sabha segment at 7 pm. Interestingly, both Naidu and Pawan Kalyan will share the campaign vehicle of others like Naidu to board Pawan Kalyans Varahi and similarly, the Jana Sena chief to board Naidus Prachara Ratham while taking part in the poll campaign for the two days.
Astrologer Predicts TD-JS-BJP Win in 128 Assembly,24 Lok Sabha Constituencies
Vijayawada : Astrologer Machiraju Venugopal has predicted that the TD-JS-BJP alliance would win 128 assembly and 24 Lok Sabha seats out of the total 175 and 25 respectively in the upcoming polls in the state. Delivering a talk at the Krodhi Nama Samvastara Ugadi celebrations held at the TD party office here on Tuesday, the astrologer stated that TD chief Chandrababu Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan were having the blessings of Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu Murthy respectively. He predicted that the TD-JS-BJP alliance would be elected to power. Naidu, after assuming power, would fulfill the promise of development of capital city Amaravati and would build houses for the poor. Speaking on the occasion, Naidu conveyed Ugadi festival wishes to all the Telugu people across the world and felt the need for empowerment of the people in the state. He called for the welfare of the people along with development and peace. State BJP chief D Purandeswari took part in the Ugadi celebrations held at the party office in Rajahmundry. Speaking on the occasion, she wished good for all the people and wanted that the people should Iive with happiness. Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan while taking part in the Ugadi celebrations held at Pitapuram wished that the Telugu new year should help the farmers get good crop while the youth must get employment. He wanted women to move freely while employees must get wages regularly. He also prayed for profits to traders and work to the wage seekers.
Jagan forced Naidu to announce his list early this time
Vijayawada : It would appear that Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy forced Telugu Desam chief N. Chandrababu Naidu to announce his list of nominees for the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls a bit early this time, unlike his usual practice of naming them at the last minute. In the past, Naidu used to drag the announcement of several names till the last minute of withdrawal of nominations. He would ask more than one from his party to file nominations for a seat and give his final work at the last moment only. This time, Jagan Mohan Reddy as YSRC chief announced his list of nominees for all 175 Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha segments much ahead of the announcement of poll schedule so that the nominees got adequate time to reach out to the people and explain about a series of welfare schemes and developmental works taken up by the YSRC government. The TD chief took the cue and he too tried to follow suit, though a bit later than the YSRC announcement of names. As the Telugu Desam forged an alliance with the Jana Sena and the BJP for the elections, they shared among them the 175 Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats. The TD got its share of 144 Assembly segments and 17 Lok Sabha constituencies. Naidu announced the list of contestants for all the segments in three phases. However, there are demands for change of nominees from one or two segments to accommodate others who claim to have a better chance of winning. For instance, though TD nominated Ch. Bhupesh Reddy for Kadapa Lok Sabha segment, there is a proposal from BJP nominee from Jammalamadugu Assembly segment for change of nominees, vice versa, claiming that both will be having better chances of win. Top leaders from both TD and BJP are yet to take a decision on the proposal. Similarly, in the Undi Assembly segment, TD has nominated Mantena Rama Raju. There is a proposal to replace him with K. Raghu Rama Krishna Raju. The TD leadership is yet to take a final decision. Telugu Desam leaders say that the early announcement of nominees is helping them forge ahead on the campaign front. We can reach out to more people and persuade them to support us. Telugu Desam leader Gorantla Butchaiah Choudhary who is party nominee for Rajahmundry rural Assembly segment said, Though there was some confusion initially to finalise the names due to TD forging an alliance with JS and BJP, that is old story now. Similar is the opinion from other contestants who say that the current elections are witnessing unprecedented developments with the ruling and the opposition parties making claims and counter-claims on various issues and complaining to the election commission on poll code violations etc.
Purandeswari didn't Even Know Borders of Rajahmundry LS: YSRCP
YSR Congress MP Margani Bharat said the BC, SC, ST and minority families have been empowered in the form of the Jagananna for their economic, social and political uplift. They feel CM Jagan has stood up as a beacon of hope for the downtrodden sections and express their sincere gratitude to him, he said. (Image Source: Twitter) YSR Congress MP Margani Bharat said the BC, SC, ST and minority families have been empowered in the form of the Jagananna for their economic, social and political uplift. They feel CM Jagan has stood up as a beacon of hope for the downtrodden sections and express their sincere gratitude to him, he said. (Image Source: Twitter) Kakinada: Rajahmundry MP and YSRC Rajahmundry Urban candidate Margani Bharati lashed out at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Daggubati Purandeswari for her remarks against the Rajamahendravaram development. He told the media on Saturday evening that Purandeswari doesnt know even the borders of Rajamahendravaram Lok Sabha constituency and she would not bring extra funds for the development of the constituency. He suggested Purandeswari should observe the development in the city and also the seven assembly segments and then she should criticise the ruling YSRC. He said that during his term, Rajamahendravaram has been vastly developed and a flyover bridge is being constructed at Morampudi. He said that the central government has not released extra funds to Andhra Pradesh. He said that the central government is releasing the AP share of funds. He said that he fought with the central government and brought the funds for the development of the constituency.
Alliance will Win Rajahmundry LS and its Assembly Segments
Kakinada : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Daggubati Purandeswari said their tripartite alliance including Telugu Desam and Jana Sena will win the Rajamahendravaram Lok Sabha seat as well as the seven assembly constituencies that it comprises. She was speaking after unfurling the BJP flag at Rajamahendravaram on Saturday on the eve of BJP Foundation Day celebrations. She also inaugurated her partys Rajamahendravaram Lok Sabha office. Purandeswari maintained that people of Rajamahendravaram want to change the YSRC government, as the present ruling party MLAs and MP have failed to develop the Lok Sabha constituency. She said YSRC leaders have swindled 300400 crore from the housing schemes implemented in the district. The BJP leader underlined that there is immense scope to develop Rajamahendravaram as a tourism hub, but the ruling party representatives have been unable to do it. BJP Rajamahendravaram Urban president Bommala Dathu, Rajamahendravaram and Narsapuram LS constituencies observer Siddardha Nath Singh were present on the occasion.
TD-JS-BJP Alliance Seeks Role of Top BJP Leaders to Boost Poll Campaign
Vijayawada : The three-party alliance expects top BJP leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, home minister Amit Shah and BJP national president J.P. Nadda to come and boost its poll campaign in Andhra Pradesh. Their presence is favoured a few days before May 13, the polling day. The leaders from the TD-JS-BJP are working out strategies to woo the voters by explaining to them the need for the three-party alliance to oust the YSRC from power and also listing the benefits that the people could get if the alliance wins power. We are trying to persuade the BJP brass from Delhi to come and announce their support to develop Amaravati as the capital city, sanction of funds for completion of the Polavaram project, sanction of Visakha railway zone and grant of special category status, also a guarantee against privatisation of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. The BJP top leaders are likely to attend public meetings in Visakhapatnam, Rajamahendravaram and Tirupati. BJP leaders say that though the Prime Minister was urged to attend the public meeting at Boppudi on March 17, we failed to get any public announcements from him on any major issues pertaining to AP. Had the PM made any major announcement on that day as regards central help to AP, it could have helped the alliance parties to forge ahead with the poll campaign. At present, Telugu Desam chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan are taking up the poll campaign independently in the name of Prajagalam phase-2 and Varahi Vijayabheri respectively. Naidu had covered parts of Rayalaseema and is visiting erstwhile Godavari districts while Pawan Kalyan recently kicked off his campaign from Pithapuram, from where he is contesting the Assembly polls. The state BJP will be launching its poll campaign, led by party chief Daggubati Purandeswari, from the Rajahmundry Lok Sabha segment, from where she is contesting, on Friday. The leaders of the three parties are assuring the dissidents that they would get better positions either in the party or in the government once their alliance wins power. Yet, several disappointed leaders are quitting these parties and switching loyalty to other parties. Analysts feel this exercise will go on until the day of withdrawal of nominations. As of now, there is every chance the sidelined aspirants can end up as the party candidates if they can prove their chances of a win. Analysts attribute credit to Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for announcing the party nominees for Assembly and Parliament polls much ahead of other parties and starting the poll campaign at the very outset.
YS Sharmila from Kadapa in Congress list of 17 nominees
NEW DELHI : The Congress on Tuesday announced a fresh list of 17 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The prominent names in the list include Andhra Pradesh PCC chief Y S Sharmila from Kadapa, Mohammad Jawed and Tariq Anwar from Bihars Kishanganj and Katihar respectively. So far, the party has announced 231 candidates for the seven-phase elections beginning April 19. The latest list has eight candidates for Odisha, five for Andhra Pradesh, three for Bihar and one for West Bengal. In Katihar, veteran leader Tariq is pitted against JD(U) candidate Dulalchand Goswami. Besides Anwar and Jawed, the party fielded MLA Ajeet Sharma from Bhagalpur. The Congress has until now announced three of the nine allocated seats as part of the seat-sharing agreement with the grand alliance in Bihar. As per the understanding, the RJD will contest 26 seats, the Congress nine and the Left parties five. Sharmila is pitted against her cousin and sitting YSRCP MP YS Avinash Reddy in Kadapa. The party also fielded former Union minister MM Pallam Raju from Andhra Pradeshs Kakinada. Besides Sharmila and Raju, the party has fielded Gidugu Rudra Raju fom Rajahmundry, JD Saleem from Bapatla (SC) and PG Ramapullaiah Yadav from Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh. I am contesting as a candidate from Kadapa. YSRs (YS Rajasekhar Reddy) daughter is contesting. This is not an easy decision for me as I know it will split my family, she told reporters in Idupulapaya in Kadapa district. The party named Munish Tamang as its candidate from West Bengals Darjeeling. The party has renominated its sitting MP from Koraput (ST) Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka. In Odisha, besides Ulaka, the party has fielded Sanjay Bhoi from Bargarh (ST), Janardan Dehury from Sundargarh (ST), Manoj Mishra from Bolangir, Draupadi Manjhi from Kalahandi, Bhujabal Majhi from Nabarangpur (ST), Amir Chand Nayak from Kandhamal, Rashmi Ranjan Patnaik from Berhampur. However, suspense over the high-profile seats of Amethi and Rae Bareli continues.
LS polls: APCC chief Sharmila to take on cousin Avinash Reddy in Kadapa Reddy in Kadapa
LS polls: APCC chief Sharmila to take on cousin Avinash Reddy in Kadapa Reddy in Kadapa Andhra Pradesh PCC chief YS Sharmila is pitted against her cousin and sitting YSRCP MP Y S Avinash Reddy in Kadapa Lok Sabha segment while former Union Ministers MM Pallam Raju and JD Seelam have been fielded from Kakinada and Bapatla constituencies respectively in the May 13 polls. As per a list of candidates for Lok Sabha elections released by Congress, including five from the state, Gidugu Rudra Raju will be contesting from Rajahmundry. PG Rampullaiah Yadav will be the party's candidate from Kurnool, according to the list. Announcing that she is fighting the Lok Sabha elections from Kadapa, Sharmila said this was not an easy decision as she was aware it would lead to a split in her family. ''I am contesting as a candidate from Kadapa. YSR's (Y S Rajasekhar Reddy) daughter is contesting. This is not an easy decision for me as I know that it will split my family,'' she said, addressing a press conference in Idupulupaya in Kadapa district after participating in a prayer meeting at her father's grave. She observed that her decision will also throw YSR's fans into confusion but had to take this decision due to some ''unavoidable circumstances''. Asserting she had ''no hatred'' towards her brother, YSRCP chief and Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, Sharmila said he was a changed man after becoming Chief Minister. The APCC president alleged Jagan Mohan Reddy ''encouraged murderous politics'' and said, ''He gave the ticket to contest from Kadapa LS seat to people who murdered Y S Vivekananda Reddy and I could not tolerate it.'' ''There is no punishment for people who committed the murder and culprits are freely roaming around evading law,'' she alleged. Vivekananda Reddy himself was a former Kadapa MP and younger brother of Rajasekhar Reddy and was killed on March 15, 2019 in the run-up to polls and the case relating to his murder continues to be unresolved. ''Despite evidence in the case, Jagan Mohan Reddy is protecting the accused persons using his political power and backing Avinash Reddy,'' she alleged. Further, she said her father had won 10 elections as a Congress leader and claimed he had dreamed of seeing Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Minister. And to fulfil that dream, Sharmila claimed that she has joined Congress and all are ready to work for the victory of the party. Congress party also announced the list of 114 candidates for the upcoming Assembly polls. She observed that the names of candidates for the remaining Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies will be declared in a few days. The Communist Party of India (CPI), Congress and CPI(M) are INDIA alliance partners in Andhra Pradesh. Elections to the 175-member Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh are scheduled on May 13 and the counting of votes is slated for June 4.
Congress fields Sharmila against YS Avinash
Hyderabad: Congress has announced candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday. The list includes 5 MP and 114 MLA candidates names from the state. Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President YS Sharmila Reddy will contest from Kadapa parliamentary constituency against her cousin and sitting MP YS Avinash Reddy of YSRCP. Meanwhile former APCC president Gidugu Rudraraju from Rajahmundry, Ex-union minister JD Seelam would contest from Bapatla, Pallam Raju from Kakinada and PG Rampullaiah from Kurnool Lok Sabha segments.
AP Congress chief Sharmila to contest from Kadapa Lok Sabha seat
Andhra Pradesh Congress chief YS Sharmila will contest from the Kadapa Lok Sabha seat in the upcoming general elections. Her name appeared in the partys 11th list approved by AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge. The other names in the state that appeared in this list include MM Pallam Raju-Kakinada, Gidugu Rudra Raju from Rajahmundry, JD Seelam-Bapatla Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Sharmila to Enter LS Fray in Kadapa, Congress Finalises Several Names
Anantapur: APCC chief Y.S. Sharmila will be the Congress candidate in Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency to take a dig at her cousin and sitting MP Y.S. Avinash Reddy of the YSRC. The party high command on Monday finalised several candidates for the 17 LS constituencies in the state. Congress sources said Sharmila is likely to announce the names of the LS candidates officially after paying tributes at the YSR Ghat at Idupulapaya in Kadapa district on Tuesday. As state party president, Y.S. Sharmila was fielded from her home turf Kadapa. This is also in view of the ongoing consequences including the five-year-long murder case of former MP, Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy. Avinash Reddy is an accused in the sensational murder case and his father was in judicial custody following a confessional statement from the deceaseds driver Dastagiri, another accused. Vivekananda Reddys daughter Dr Sunitha is pursuing the pending case. It is learnt that former APCC chief Gidugu Rudraraju would contest the LS polls from Rajahmundry, senior leader JD Seelam from Bapatla and Pallam Raju from Kakinada. Two seats - Rajampet and Hindupur - were allotted to minority candidates. A decision on the other segments - Anantapur, Guntur, Vijawada, Amalapuram, Kurnool and Araku - were still pending due to ongoing discussions with the Communist parties that are allying with the Congress in AP. Sharmilas candidature from Kadapa gained wide publicity on Monday. Chief minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddys Pulivendula Assembly segment also forms part of the Kadapa LS constituency. Curiously, BJP leader Adinarayana Reddy was given the Jammalamadugu Assembly segment for contest this time while his brothers son Bhupesh Reddy was announced as the TD candidate from Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency. Adinarayana Reddy however expressed his willingness to contest the LS poll from Kadapa by leaving the Jammalamadugu Assembly seat to Bhupesh Reddy. Adinarayana reportedly expressed this interest following the fielding of Sharmila as the Congress candidate in Kadapa.
J&K players shine at 25th Sub Junior National Fencing Cship
Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 29: Jammu and Kashmir Fencers showed remarkable performance in the 25th Sub-Junior National Fencing Championship held at Rajahmundry (Andhra Pradesh) from March 25 to 28 in which fencers from across the country participated. Antalya Jamwal clinched a silver medal in the girls Sabre Individual event, showcasing her prowess and determination on the fencing strip. In addition to Antalyas achievement, the Jammu and Kashmir contingent also secured medals in team events. The boys Sabre team event [] The post J&K players shine at 25th Sub Junior National Fencing Cship appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Vijayawada: Criminal Arrested Under PD Act, Jailed
Representational picture (Photo: DC) Representational picture (Photo: DC) Vijayawada: Krishna district police have put in Rajahmundry Central Jail habitual criminal Konduri Manikantha alias KTM Pandu, aged 26 years, after arresting him under the Preventive Detention (PD) Act. Krishna district SP Adnan Nayeem Asmi has warned other criminals they will also meet the same fate if they disturb peace or cause insecurity or harm to people. He pointed out that Manikantha, a resident of Sanathnagar at Kanuru village in Penamaluru mandal on outskirts of Vijayawada city, had been committing murders, attempting murders, beating up people, disrupting normal life and inciting gang wars. Following this, Penamaluru police in Krishna district submitted a serious crimes report against Manikantha to district collector P. Rajababu. The collector ordered that the criminal be booked under PD Act and detained in the Rajahmundry Central Jail until further orders. The SP warned that police will not only take all kinds of legal measures, but will also act tough and put criminals, whoever they are, behind bars if they do not give up their criminal tendencies.
Krishna district police invoke PD Act against habitual offender
Manikanta alias KTM Pandu, who was allegedly involved in many cases, has been sent to Rajahmundry Central Prison, says SP Adnan Nayeem Asmi
BJP Releases its First List of LS Candidates for AP
Vijayawada : The first list of BJP candidates for Andhra Pradesh, with six names for MP seats, was released on Sunday night by the BJP high command. The BJP got six LS seats and ten assembly seats for contest under the NDA alliance of BJP, Telugu Desam and Jana Sena in Andhra Pradesh. State BJP president Daggubati Purandeswari will be party candidate for Rajahmundry LS seat and former chief minister Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy the Rajampet LS candidate. Vara Prasad Rao, who joined BJP from YSR Congress on Sunday, would be fielded from Tirupati (SC) LS seat. Sitting MP K Raghu Ramakrishnam Raju was expecting the BJP ticket for the Narasapuram LS seat but the party selected Bhupatiraju Srinivas Varma as its candidate there. CM Ramesh got the BJP ticket for the Anakapalle MP seat and Kothapalli Geetha has been selected as a BJP candidate for the Araku (ST) LS seat. There was speculation about Sujana Chowdary getting the Vijayawada West assembly seat, Kamineni Srinivas getting the Kaikalur assembly seat and Vishnu Kumar Raju getting the Visakhapatnam North assembly seat. The list of BJPs assembly candidates is likely to be released in a day or two.
LS polls: BJP names 111 more candidates; drops 2 ministers, Varun Gandhi; fields Arun Govil, Kangana
LS polls: BJP names 111 more candidates; drops 2 ministers, Varun Gandhi; fields Arun Govil, Kangana The BJP on Sunday named 111 more Lok Sabha poll candidates, dropping Union ministers Ashwini Kumar Choubey and V K Singh, and MP Varun Gandhi, while fielding actors Kangana Ranaut and Arun Govil. Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan will contest from Sambalpur and the party's spokesperson Sambit Patra will try his luck again from Puri after losing out in a close contest in 2019. The party has axed former Union minister Anantkumar Hegde, a six-term Lok Sabha member from Uttara Kannada, this time. A hardline Hindutva leader, he has often courted controversies with his remarks including the recent row when he said a big mandate for the BJP is necessary so that it could amend the Constitution. The BJP has denied tickets to nearly 37 incumbent MPs in the latest list, including nine in Uttar Pradesh, five in Gujarat, four in Odisha and three each in Bihar, Karnataka and Jharkhand. The count of dropped MPs does not include those who won recent assembly elections like Diya Kumari and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore in Rajasthan, or someone like Nayab Singh Saini who has taken over as Haryana chief minister or Hisar MP Brijendra Singh, who has already quit the party. Kerala BJP president K Surendra will contest from Wayanad, the seat from where incumbent MP and former Congress president Rahul Gandhi is again in the fray. The BJP has fielded Rekha Patra, who party leaders said is one of the Sadeshkhali victims, from West Bengal's Basirhat constituency in a bid to corner the state's ruling Trinamool Congress. The BJP named candidates for all 17 seats it is contesting in Bihar, renominating Union minister Giriraj Singh from Begusarai and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad from Patna Sahib. Union ministers R K Singh and Nityanand Rai have also been fielded from their current seats, while in Uttar Pradesh the ruling party named 13 more candidates. While it has denied the ticket from Pilibhit to Varun Gandhi, a three-term Lok Sabha MP who has often aired views deemed critical of his party's governments at the Centre and in the state, it has renominated his mother Maneka Gandhi from Sultanpur. Jitin Prasada, a minister in the state government, is the party's choice from Pilibhit while Atul Garg replaces two-term MP V K Singh in Ghaziabad. Hours before the party released the list, Singh said in a post on X that he is opting out of the polls. Three leaders who joined the BJP on Sunday figured in the list -- Naveen Jindal from Kurukshetra, Haryana government minister Ranjit Chautala from Hisar (both in Haryana), and Varaprasad Rao from Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. With this list of 111 candidates, the ruling party has named 398 nominees, excluding the four who withdrew after their names created controversy, for the elections to the 543-member Lok Sabha. Ranaut, a vocal supporter of the BJP, will contest from Mandi in her home state of Himachal Pradesh, while veteran actor Arun Govil, famed for his role of Lord Ram in the popular TV serial ''Ramayan'', has been preferred to seasoned parliamentarian Rajendra Agrawal in Meerut by the ruling party. Sita Soren, the sister-in-law of former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, is the BJP's candidate from Dumka. She had quit the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha a few days ago. Former Karnataka chief minister Jagadish Shettar, who snapped his long ties with the BJP to join the Congress last year before returning to its fold months later, will contest from Belgaum. The party has named 19 more candidates from West Bengal, including former Calcutta High Court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay from Tamluk. It has shifted Dilip Ghosh, the MP from Medinipur, to BardhamanDurgapur, dropping the incumbent S S Ahluwalia. It named seven candidates from Rajasthan, four each from Haryana, Karnataka and Kerala, 18 from Odisha, and three each from Maharashtra and Jharkhand among other states. Its Andhra Pradesh president D Purandeswari will contest from Rajahmundry and former chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy from Rajampet as the party named its picks for all the six Lok Sabha seats in the state it is contesting in alliance with the TDP and the Jana Sena. BJP vice president Baijayant Panda will contest from Kendrapara, a constituency he has represented in Lok Sabha as a BJD member twice.
Pawan Demands Probe into Vontimitta Handloom Worker's Death
Visakhapatnam: Jana Sena party chief Pawan Kalyan on Sunday demanded a thorough investigation into the death of handloom worker Subbarao in the Vontimitta mandal of the combined Kadapa district. Speaking at the party office, the Jana Sena chief said, he handloom worker allegedly died due to tampering of land records by the local revenue officials. The Jana Sena chief assured a strict action against the land grabbers, if the NDA is voted to power in the state, and added that the NDA government would take all necessary steps to protect the peoples properties. Pawan Kalyan slammed the YSRC government for its support to land grabbers. The YSRC government has brought the Land Titling Act just to take away people's properties. Not only that, the decision to give only photostat copies instead of an original land document during registration also seems to be a part of YSRCs land grab conspiracy, he said. As Pawan Kalyan will be contesting as the alliance candidate from Pithapuram, Telugu Desam party in-charge S.V.S.N.Varma met him at the party's central office in Mangalagiri on Sunday. TD in-charge of Kakinada, Amalapuram and Rajahmundry parliament constituencies Sujaya Krishna Ranga Rao also met the Jana Sena chief and explained the political situation in the Pithapuram constituency. All the TD leaders assured Pawan Kalyan that they would stand by him and expressed the confidence of a huge victory for him at Pithapuram.
Ganja Smuggling Gang Busted: 6 Arrested with Cash & Phones
Hyderabad: The Maheshwaram special operation team and Choutuppal police arrested six persons when they were transporting 84 kg of dry ganja, along with Rs 10,220 in cash and four mobile phones, collectively valued at over Rs 21.5 lakh. The arrested accused were identified as Sahid, Imran, Md Aslam, Sachin Kumar, Mohd Zahid, and a juvenile. They provided information which led to the arrest of Raghuveer Roy, the main supplier in Rajahmundry. Mukesh alias Rasheed managed to evade arrest, the police said. The accused hailed from Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh. The gang would transport the ganja in a bus from Rajahmundry to Hyderabad, and then to New Delhi on a train. Police intercepted the gang at the Panthangi toll plaza. Roy was handed over to the Bibinagar police as he was wanted in multiple drug related cases.
Campaign on Pawans Move to Centre Angers JS Cadre
Hyderabad: A widespread campaign, apparently at the behest of the Telugu Desam, that Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan would contest for Lok Sabha elections, irked his party leaders and followers. Ever since the TD-JS combine sealed an electoral alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party two days ago in Delhi, the propaganda machinery was unleashed to claim that Pawan Kalyan was moving to national politics, even before the leaders had returned from the national capital. We are shocked to see the campaign. There was no talk of our party president contesting for the Lok Sabha at all and suddenly it is all there in the media, a senior Jana Sena leader and confidant of Pawan Kalyan told Deccan Chronicle . While Jana Sena leaders restrained themselves from commenting, social media groups involving the party cadre and Pawan Kalyan followers fumed at the propaganda in which they saw a sinister design to ease their supremo out of Andhra Pradesh politics. They (TD leaders) need our leader to ride to power but they dont want him once the objective is fulfilled, said Akula Srinivas, a netizen and a die-hard supporter of Pawan Kalyan. They always see a potential threat in our hero and all this bonhomie is with an eye on the polls, B. Venkateshwara Rao, another Jana Sena activist, said, adding that the cadre wanted their leader to remain in the state and help the party grow on its own. Jana Sena leaders sought to remind the electoral ally TD of Pawan Kalyan to go to the Central Prison in Rajahmundry to visit his TD counterpart N. Chandrababu Naidu when its leaders were afraid of stepping out of their houses. Corroborating with Jana Sena leaders, a veteran journalist from Rajahmundry, K. Satyanarayana, said: It is a fact that PKs bold stand against Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy at the Ippatam public meeting, where he declared his resolve to keep the anti-incumbency vote intact, and his announcement of a poll pact from the Central Prison are game-changers. Jana Sena leaders were of the view that the cadre was initially severely upset over the party getting just 24 Assembly and two Lok Sabha seats but were coming to terms with it in the larger interest of the combine. We still doubt whether the TD cadre will show the same integrity as us and transfer their vote wherever the Jana Sena or the BJP is contesting, said a senior leader. Party sources, to reiterate that their chief would stay on in the state, pointed out that Pawan Kalyan had committed himself to at least four films and had taken advances from producers. Moving to national politics at this juncture would upset the schedules and leave the producers high and dry, something that Pawan Kalyan would not do, they pointed out.
PM Modi inaugurates 15 airport project virtually from Azamgarh in UP
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated 15 airport projects, including 12 new terminal buildings of almost worth Rs 10,000 crore in Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh, marking the event to be the single biggest infra addition that will see a mix of new airports, expanded terminals, laying of foundation stones for upcoming airports and other related facilities. The project launched by PM Modi includes 12 new terminal buildings of Pune, Kolhapur, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Delhi, Lucknow, Aligarh, Azamgarh, Chitrakoot, Moradabad, Shravasti and Adampur Airports, along with laying of the foundation stone for new terminal buildings of Kadapa, Hubballi and Belagavi airports on Sunday. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. So far, in FY 2023-24, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has operationalized state-of-the-art new integrated terminal buildings at Chennai, Port Blair, Surat and Tiruchirappalli Airports. The new terminal buildings at Kanpur Airport, Rajkot International Airport, Tezu Airport and Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhya Dham were also inaugurated. The projects are aimed at augmenting passenger amenities and giving a fillip to the local economy. Further, the foundation stone was also laid for new terminal buildings in Datia, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Rajahmundry to cater to demands in future. The 12 new terminal buildings are being developed at a total cost of Rs. 8,903 Crore, having a combined capacity to serve 615 Lakh passengers annually. According to the Prime Minister's Office, these terminal buildings are fully equipped with various passenger facilities like check-in counters, aerobridges, baggage conveyors and sufficient concessionaire area. AAI has also undertaken the development of three new terminal buildings at Kadapa, Hubballi and Belagavi Airports at a total cost of Rs.908 crore. Once completed, the combined passenger handling capacity of these airports will increase to 95 lakh passengers per annum, as per the government. These new terminal buildings are also equipped with various sustainability features like a double insulated roofing system, provision of canopies for energy saving, LED lighting, low heat gain double glazing unit, solar power plant etc. to meet GRIHA ratings. As per the press release issued by the PMO, the designs of these airports are influenced and derived from the common elements of heritage structures of that state and city, thus reflecting the local culture and highlighting the heritage of the region. The murals, paintings, and architectural style of all the above-mentioned Airports have the transformative power to enhance the travel experiences of the passengers. The inauguration and foundation stone laying of these 15 Airport projects worth Rs 9,811 Crore, places India's civil aviation industry at the forefront of the nation's economic growth and solidifies its role as a major player in the global aviation landscape, it said. With these new terminal buildings, air connectivity in the country will witness an increase which in turn will spur tourism, business, and education and generate employment which is vital to the region's economic prosperity. It will also strengthen the economy of the states over the long haul, boosting productivity through its positive impact on businesses, the statement said.
PM Modi flags off the Jalna-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express, connecting vital cities and enhancing accessibility in the region. PM Modi flags off the Jalna-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express, connecting vital cities and enhancing accessibility in the region. Visakhapatnam: Secunderabad and Visakhapatnam will be connected by a second Vande Bharat train from March 12, offering a morning service for passengers from the Telangana state capital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the service virtually on March 12. This could probably be the only route to be served by two Vande Bharat Express trains, in view of the heavy demand. The first Vande Bharat service inaugurated in January last year used to leave Visakhapatnam in the morning, and Secunderabad in the evening on all days of the week except Sunday. Modi had inaugurated the first Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat Express in January last year. The train has been reporting over 100 per cent occupancy. The second Vande Bharat service will cover the distance in eight hours and 45 minutes. The new train has been given the number 20707/20708. Train 20707 will leave Secunderabad on all days of the week (except Thursdays) at 5.05 am and reach Visakhapatnam by 1.50 pm. The return service (Train 20708) will leave the port city on all days (except Thursdays) at 2.35 pm and reach in Secunderabad by 11.20 pm. This service will stop at Warangal, Khammam, Vijayawada, Rajahmundry and Samalkot. The older Vande Bharat Express (Train 20834) leaves Visakhapatnam at 5.45 am on all days except Sundays and reaches Secunderabad at 2.15 pm. In the return direction, the train leaves Secunderabad at 3 pm and reaches the port city at 11.30 pm. This service also has five halts at Warangal, Khammam, Vijayawada, Rajahmunder and Samalkot.
Telangana: Private bus overturns in Khammam, 15 injured
Hyderabad: A private bus overturned in Khammam district in the early hours of Saturday, March 9, leading to fifteen passengers suffering injuries. The incident reportedly took place at the Lokya Thanda bridge on the Suryapet-Khammam national highway. The bus was travelling from Hyderabad to Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh. A 108 ambulance arrived at the spot Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Missing Wedding Photographer Found Dead
Visakhapatnam : Potina Sai Vijay, a photographer from Bakkannapalem village within Maduravada police station limits, who had gone missing on February 26 while on his way to a wedding shoot in Ravulapalem of East Godavari district, has been found dead. Police have arrested a suspect in the case. Sai Vijay's parents Srinu, an auto driver, and Ramanamma, who runs a store, filed a complaint with police on February 29 after their son's phone had gone unanswered. Investigations revealed that the photographer had come in contact with a person named Shanmukh through social media. Shanmukh, on coming to know about Sai Vijay's high-end cameras worth around 15 lakh, convinced the photographer to come to Ravulapalem for a wedding event. Following this, on February 26, Sai Vijay boarded a bus from Car Shed Junction with his cameras and reached Visakhapatnam railway station. He took a train to Rajahmundry, where he met Shanmukh. They hired a car and drove to Alamuru near Ravulapalem. Suspecting foul play, Sai Vijay sent a photo of the car he was travelling in to his mother, along with Shanmukh's phone number, expressing his apprehension about being with unknown people. Subsequently, Sai Vijays phone had been switched off. Shanmukh's number also turned out to be unreachable. The photographers parents then filed a complaint with PM Palem police, who registered a case and started investigation. They collected evidence and traced Shanmukh as being in Ravulapalem. But when police reached there, he had absconded. PM Palem inspector told Deccan Chronicle that they lured Shanmukh on Facebook by posing as a girl from Kancharapalem with whom Shanmukh had been in contact. They then arrested him. Shanmukhs interrogation revealed that he had killed photographer Sai Vijay in a room that he had hired. He had hidden both the body and the cameras in the room when police lured him out. Police have arrested Shanmukh and are investigating the case further.
