No need for Congress to field namesakes: Anam

Expressing confidence that the Congress candidates will win the by-elections for the Kadapa Lok Sabha and Pulivendula Assembly constituencies ‘easily’, Nellore MLA Anam Vivekananda Reddy on Tuesday stated there was no need for the party to resort to devious practices as reported in a section of the media.

Mr Vivekananda Reddy was reacting to reports that the Congress was behind the nominations filed by the many Jaganmohan Reddys and Vijayalakshmis, namesakes of YSR Congress party candidates YS Jaganmohan Reddy and YS Vijayalakshmi for the by-elections scheduled to be held on May 8.

He told media persons on the Assembly premises that the reports suggesting that the Congress was behind the ‘tactic’ to confuse the voters were baseless and far from truth.

“There is no need to Congress to resort to such tactics and try to confuse the voters. The Congress has its own strength in the constituency and people will vote for the party. The voters of Kadapa will support the Congress candidates due to the party president Sonia Gandhi’s and the state government’s good work,” he pointed out.

Mr Vivekananda Reddy claimed that some namesakes of Congress candidates DL Ravindra Reddy and TDP candidate Mysoora Reddy have also filed nominations.

“Except Agriculture Minister and Pulivendula candidate YS Vivekananda Reddy, namesakes of almost all leaders have filed their papers,” he pointed out. Mr Vivekananda Reddy also wondered, “I do not know why the media is suspecting the role of the Congress in this issue.”

The MLA further said that a wave in support of the Congress was sweeping over Kadapa and said that “the people would repose their faith to the schemes and promises implemented by the party.

He further urged the Election Commission to take steps to curb the influence of money in the by-elections.