Relatives join candidates’ campaigns as Vizianagaram campaigning ends

Candidates receive family support as campaigning draws to a close in Vizianagaram

Family members of candidates from different political parties took an active part in campaigning for the Vizianagaram municipal corporation elections on the last day of campaigning on Friday.

Relatives travelled from other cities, towns and villages to support candidates in several wards. Their participation was notable because close family members normally stay away from direct involvement in political campaigns.

Relatives join campaigns in several wards

In Ward 13, as many as 50 families from different places travelled to Vizianagaram to campaign for Jana Sena Party (JSP) candidate Kalla Rupa. She is the mother-in-law of Avanapu Vikram, the JSP coordinator for the Vizianagaram Parliamentary constituency.

Mr. Vikram said Cyclone Arnab had disrupted campaigning during the previous three days. He said family members joined the campaign on the final day to cover all streets and visit households in the ward.

“Cyclone Arnab disrupted campaigning over the last three days. To cover all streets on the final day of the campaign, family members joined us and visited households in the ward. Their moral support helped to us take out a large rally,” Mr. Vikram told the media.

In Ward 22, Babametta, 75-year-old R. Lakshmi Bai and other family members campaigned for independent candidate Chitta Chandrasekhar Varma Raju. Ms. Lakshmi Bai, who completed her postgraduate five decades ago, said all educated persons should enter politics directly. She also said she had encouraged her son to contest the elections.

Support for independent and party candidates

Businessman Attada Chandu campaigned door to door for his relative, independent candidate Attada Varalakshmi, in Ward 30.

Former municipal chairperson Prasadula Kanaka Mahalaksmi and other family members actively campaigned for Prasadula Rajani in Ward 25. Ms. Rajani is contesting on a Telugu Desam Party (TDP) ticket and is the wife of TDP district general secretary Prasadula Laxmiprasad.

Kedarasetti Lakshman Murthy, a young businessman contesting from the 12th division, said complete support from a candidate’s family was needed for anyone to shine in politics.

The campaign involvement also extended to mayoral candidates. YSRCP mayor candidate Kolagatla Sravani said her family members had played a vital role in campaigning across all 62 divisions thrice during the last one week.

TDP mayoral candidate Avanapu Bharagavi’s family members travelled from Visakhapatnam and camped in Vizianagaram to support her campaign until the election process was completed.

Congress mayor candidate Ishwarya Lakshmi Yadav said moral support from family members was essential for women seeking to establish themselves in politics. The participation of relatives on the final campaign day therefore included support for candidates from the JSP, TDP, YSRCP, Congress and independent contestants.

Source: The Hindu