Sangareddy, July 22: The ongoing controversy over the Babli bus yatra and the subsequent events are proving to be advantageous for the TDP candidate from Siddipet, actor Babu Mohan. Following the arrest of Chandrababu Naidu and other TDP leaders in Maharashtra, the protest and bandh call given by the local TDP leaders evoked a very good response, surprising the TDP leaders.
Ever since he filed his papers on July 9, Babu Mohan did not move out of the constituency and has been visiting villages along with TDP district president M Hanumantha Rao. Since a majority of the TDP leaders were away in Maharashtra, Babu Mohan was able to sustain the campaign, thanks to his film glamour.
In a constituency where TDP leaders were worried that they may not be able to get polling agents, things have changed for the better. An encouraging trend for the TDP is that the actor is drawing huge crowds.
Reports of ill-treatment meted out to TDP leaders and the highhandedness of the Maharashtra police have ruffled the feelings of the people and they resent the Maharashtra police action. The Babli developments have evoked sympathy for Chandrababu Naidu.
For TRS candidate Hareesh Rao who thought he would have a cakewalk in the polls due to the strong T sentiment in the constituency the developments are a bit worrying, though not alarming.
The Congress also is taken aback by the developments.
–Agencies