Telangana assembly elections 2018: Last-minute blitz by netas with wrapped voter deals

HYDERABAD: As December 7 is approaching, candidates are leaving no stone unturned to woo the voters and be among them. “If I cannot count on you, who else can I rely upon” — this is the oft-quoted slogan of candidates making a beeline to voters’ houses.

STOI found a candidate literally pleading with a man who had come to visit him to ensure that he gets maximum votes in the village in Korutla in his favour. “Remember, your father was with me until he passed away,” he was seen telling the villager. In some places, villagers have become wiser and are playing a waiting game. Their strategy seems to be strike a ‘good deal’ with candidates. The deal could be anything – from money to development works in the village. This is also the time village elders and community leaders play a crucial role.

“Your relationship is with you. You are my strength,” Telangana Congress working president A Revanth Reddy tells voters in Kodangal. Last time, he won the seat on a TDP ticket. Moral of the high-pitched campaign is: Irrespective of the party affiliations, candidates are reminding voters of their personal rapport and relationship.

TRS MP Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, who quit the TRS and joined the Congress recently, faced stiff resistance from TRS workers when he went to Tandur to campaign for the Congress. “Congress go back,” the villages shouted. Vishweshwar had no choice and he simply left the place.

A Congress candidate said that 48 hours before the date of election holds key to winning chances of any candidate. “Efforts will be made to garner every vote,” he said, adding that last-ditch efforts were made to stitch up support. Voters meanwhile are concerned about immediate money gains. “I’ll talk to you if you give 100,” a woman said to a party functionary.