Congress poised for victories in local body polls, says A.P. CWC member Rudra Raju

Congress Working Committee member and former Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president Gidugu Rudra Raju on Friday said the Party would register significant victories in municipal, parishad and panchayat elections, claiming that people from all quarters of the society were fed up with existing parties including the Telugu Desam, YSR Congress Party and others.

He said that the party is all set for a quick political comeback in local body elections while asking all nominated candidates to strive hard to explain the real development that had taken place during Congress regime both in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts.

He held a review meeting with Srikakulam District Congress Committee president Sanapala Annaji Rao, former DCC presidents Pedada Parameswara Rao, Ambati Krishna Rao and the party in-charge Meesala Subbanna over the selection of chairpersons and councillor candidates for Palasa and Ichchapuram municipalities.

He took feedback from senior leaders and interested candidates who wanted to contest for Zilla Parishad and Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies.

Addressing media later, he said people were keen to vote for the Congress party banking on the image of Leader of Opposition (LOP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has created for the party and his commitment for the rural development and improvement in the village economy.

“Rahul [Gandhi’s] father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was instrumental in bringing 73 and 74 historical amendments made to the Indian Constitution to bring out reforms in panchayat raj system. Rajiv [Gandhi] reduced the voting age limit from 21 to 18. Now the new generation who got voting rights have to understand the Congress party’s commitment for the strong rural economy and local livelihood with the support of schemes such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme,” Mr. Raju said.

In the evening, Mr. Raju held a review meeting with Vizianagaram District Congress Committee president Maripi Vidya Sagar and other leaders in the city. He said that the leaders who work hard during local body elections would get political elevation as the party is set to form the government at the Centre in 2029.