Hyderabad

A long drawn out and rather vexatious election campaign came to en end in Andhra Pradesh on Saturday evening setting the stage for a decisive showdown between the Telugu Desam and the Congress along with their allies on April 26th. The TDP president and Chief Minister Mr.N.Chandrababunaidu and Congress CLP leader Dr.Y.S.Rajasekharareddy, star campaigners for their respective parties called it a day after addressing huge public rallies at Nagari in Chittor and at Nandikotkur in Kurnool district before the deadline ended at the stroke of 5pm.TDP chief toured 166 Assembly constituencies traveling by road and air whereas the Congress leader addressed many more rallies during his 'Jaitra Yatra' by road.The last day saw some surprise developments.

Ongole

Having failed to impress the voters with its slogan of Samaikya Andhra, the TDP is heavily banking on its popularity among women voters in the South Coastal belt of Andhra Pradesh. It could be a touch and go affairs in Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam and Nellore districts which will decide the who will come to power. Irrigation, erratic power supply, unemployment and fear of losing jobs have added to the 'fatigue factor' here. Issues like the danger of separatism have taken a back seat and the TDP's criticism of the Congress TRS alliance is not a scoring point for it. The TDP has unsuccessfully attempted to influence the farmers by highlighting the dangers of separatism to the delta area as no water would be released into Krishna river. However, there is a marginal division of women voters in favour of the Congress enough to blunt the effect. The TDP is depended only on women voters.

Visakhapatnam

Three members of the Korukonda Dalam of PWG surrendered before the Superintendent of Police Sanjay Kumar Jain here on Saturday.

Kurnool

The 20 day 'Jaitra Yatra' of the former CLP leader Dr.Y.S.Rajasekharareddy concluded at Nandikotkur in Kurnool district on Sunday. Dr.Reddy exuded the confidence that the Congress would win over 250 seats and form next Government. He said a strong wave was seen in favour of the Congress the State and people were anxious to get rid of the 'unfriendly' TDP Government.

Cuddapah

The congress in charge of Kodur, Batyala Chengalarayulu, the party candidate for the Kodur Assembly constituency, G.Venkateswara Prasad, and 200 functionaries staged a dharna in fort of the Kodur MRO office on Saturday morning as he is 'pro-TDO' and they wanted him to be posted out of the Kodur segment.

Cuddapah

The Chief Minister, N Chandrababu Naidu during his road show in Cuddapah town on Saturday launched a vituperative attack on the former CLP leader Dr.Y.S.Rajasekharareddy. Addressing a gathering at Apsara Circle Mr.Naidu asserted that the Congress which was unable to finalize a Chief Ministerial candidate would not ensure a stable rule. The previous Congress regimes smacked of corruption and atrocities, but paid no attention to developmental issues, he alleged. The NDA rule achieved more development than during the 50 year Congress rule, he said that Mr. Naidu stated that in his 25 year political career, he had been the Chief Minister for nine years and would be re-reelected for a third term. He criticized that the Congress is making empty promises with a view to gain for power.

Events and happenings on 24 April in History

24 April 2001
Highlights: Executive Director of Action for Social Development presented before the Court.

24 April 2002
Highlights: DSC 2002 notification on May 5

24 April 2003
Highlights: Youth Congress Leader and aide murdered by rivals

24 April 2004
Highlights: Poll campaign ends in State

24 April 2005
Highlights: Singareni Collieries strike from Monday

24 April 2006
Highlights: Seven killed in lorry-bus collision

24 April 2007
Highlights: Petition against the Chief Minister dismissed