The temperature gradually increased as the sun beat down with unrestrained brutality. The muggy heat reflected in the sweat that added to the discomfort but the smiles on their faces did not fade.
They stepped inside almost every house, godown, shop or mechanic workshop, greeted the inmates with a traditional ‘namaskaram’ and handed them pamphlets in yellow colour, seeking their votes in the hustings.
TDP candidate for the Vijayawada West Assembly constituency Shabana Khatoon, is a new face to the city but is learning the ropes of electioneering under the guidance of her father, incumbent MLA from the segment Jaleel Khan.
Starting ahead of most other candidates in the fray, Ms. Khatoon feels, has been an advantage as she is "beginning to know the people of my constituency and their issues".
In the short travel from home to the Panja Centre in the 40th division, she explains how she stepped into her father’s shoes. "I have been living in the U.S. for the last 19 years. I came here to support my father but Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu garu, when we met him, suggested that a young fresh woman candidate would have more acceptance," and before she could realise anything, she already had the TDP shawl around her.
"My mother was surprised to see me with this when I returned home," she says, pointing to the yellow piece of cloth around her neck.
Ms. Khatoon is accompanied by Kesineni Swetha, daughter of the TDP candidate for the Vijayawada Lok Sabha seat Kesineni Nani, who comes across as a matured, confident individual, leaving no stone unturned in seeking people’s support for her father. "I am canvassing for my father," she says, explaining how the two have been a source of great support for each other.
The car pulls up in the Pahaadi street in Islampet area where the duo alights into a burst of activity. A crowd of supporters, flaunting a splash of yellow, welcome them with slogans and the two start walking briskly towards the main road. They greet with smiles and a victory sign fruit vendors, retailers and residents peeping from their balconies before stepping into the Lotewaale Mastan durgah to seek the blessings of the almighty.
On Babu Rajendra Prasad Road, they visit houses and greet inmates urging them to vote for them as "TDP alone can solve their problems".
Pitted against Vellampalli Srinivas of the YSRCP, main opponent, Ms. Khatoon feels that the ‘good work’ done by her father would hold her in good stead.
Finding solutions to problems faced by the marginalised sections living on hill slopes is among her priorities. "In some areas, you have to climb 200 steps to reach them. Basic amenities like water, drains, construction of retaining walls and also a ramp are my focus areas. I was told that many people in need of urgent medical help have died on their way to hospital because of the time taken to shift them to the hospital," she says.