The fate of 19 candidates would be sealed tomorrow in the ballot boxes as the by-polls to 18 assembly constituencies and one Lok Sabha constituency would conclude by the end of the day on June 12.  While the campaigning concluded on Sunday, the leaders are all anxious regarding the results. In fact, this is the first time in the history of the country that by-polls became so significant. Just 18 MLA seats and it has become a hot topic in more than 18 states. Yes, right from day election notification was announced, it has become national news.  As many as 36 lakh voters are expected to cast their vote on June 12.

Why did by-polls become national news?

There could be no specific reason as to why by-polls became national news. The experts opined that the national media was reportedly focusing more on anything that’s related to Kadapa MP Jaganmohan Reddy even before the probe on Jaganmohan Reddy hit the headlines. Presumably it could be due to the assets that Jaganmohan Reddy had. It is known that Jagan became the richest MP of the Lok Sabha when he declared his assets while he contested for Kadapa by-poll as YSR Congress candidate. The declared assets before the Election Commission in 2011 were Rs. 365 crore and additional Rs. 41.33 crore in the name of his wife Bharati.

And it’s evident that by-polls are outcome of Jaganmohan Reddy, said political experts. It was Jagan’s loyalists in Congress party who tried to destabilize the Government last year when TDP moved no confidence motion. Since Congress party MLAs voted against the party, the speaker the disqualified them and thus 17 seats fell vacant.

(Phani)

(note: issued in the interest of the public)