NANDYAL: The initial excitement among the Nandyal voters following the decision by the Prime Minister, P.V. Narasimha Rao, to contest from there is gradually having replaced by widespread apprehensions of violence in parts of the Nandyal Lok Sabha constituency, particularly Allagadda.

What is worrying the authorities and the people is the worsening law and order situation in Allagadda which is notorious for faction feuds. As the polling day draws near, tension is building up in the Allgadda Assembly segment, for which also bypoll is taking place.

The Congress (I) and the Telugu Desam have fielded arch rivals G.Pratap Reddy and B.V.Nagi Reddy in Allagadda, Ina bid to win the seat, the parties are in dunging in “show of strength” and sparing no efforts.

In the other Assembly segments, Atmakur, Nandikotkar, Panyam, Giddalur, Nandyal and Koilkuntal. There is not much of campaigning for PV except for political graffiti and banners.

 AS the TDP put up his candidate against PV in Rakya Lok Sabha constituency, the faction leaders belonging to both the parties are concentrating on canvassing in Allagadda,

With incidents of bomb hurling and firing in Allagadda on the last day of filing of nominations, voters ear outbreak of violence on the polling day. To make matters worse, the Naxalites of the

Peoples War Group (PWG) has given poll boycott call.

They have intensified their movement all along the Nallamala forest range that runs through Nandyal, Atmakur, Giddalur and Allagadda Assem by segments.

The other serious contestants, B. A. ngaur Laxman(B.J.P), Mandla Subba Reddy (UCCRI-ML) and M.Narsimhulu (Independent) appear to have not made much impactontheelectorate. Though the BJP and UCCRIML candidates have strength in certain pockets, they might not pose a problem to PV in securing massive majority.

An extensive tour of the Nandyal Lok Sabha constituency by this correspondent showed that voters are least bothered about the parliamentary poll the lack of enthusiasm is evident everywhere except Allagadda.

The TDP candidate of Allagadda Assembly constituency, Nagi Reddy said he would rather invalidate his vote than Vote for the Congress (I) Lok Sabha candidate.

The Congress (I)   opposition accuses each other of terrorizing the voters. About six days ago an independent candidate supporting the TDP complained to police that he was at lacked by Congress (I) workers who hurled bombs at him, But the Congress (I) workers too lodged complaints with the police that it was they who were attacked by the Independent candidate.

Hardly 10 days ago had two faction leaders indulged in a free for all bomb hurling in Mandal village near Allagadda. In other villages, there were reports of arguments and clashes between the TDP and Congress (I) supporters. Pease do not ask anything about the factions. We do not know anything is the stock reply given to the inquisitive reporters who have been flocking these villages.

The Union Minister for Rural Development, G.Venkataswamy, who is camping here to convey for PV among the down trodden sections of the society, said that pediatrics would be organized in all the Assembly segments by the AP Schedule Castes United Front beginning with apadyatra in Nandyal on Monday.

Gold touches new high;

 NEW DELHI: Gold maintained its galloping advance on the bullion market on Friday when it shot up by another R.s 100, breaking previous record levels, to reach at R.s 4770 per 10 grams on brisk festival buying, along with heavy stockiest demand. Prices of its moments also Spurted by a similar margin (0 quote at R.s 4620 per 10 grams. Market sources attributed the sharp rise to acute shortage of yellow metal following restricted arrivals and boom in its prices in the international market.

They said the good seasonal buying was another hardening factor.

Article extracted from this publication >> November 8, 1991