Diverse issues ranging from incomplete road works, pending irrigation and drinking water projects to the long pending demand of Adivasis for pattas for “Podu” lands are set to prominently figure during the poll campaign for the ensuing election to the Yellendu (ST) Assembly Constituency slated for April 30.
The grievances of members of displaced families and land oustees under the Opencast Projects (OCPs) in Yellendu and Tekulapalli mandals as well as that of tendu leaf collectors in the constituency are set to dominate the electioneering, feel political observers.
Although the main political parties are yet to announce the names of their respective candidates for the seat, the election momentum is fast picking up in the segment.
According to official sources, the Yellendu constituency has a total electorate of 1,84,678 voters. Of this tribal voters mostly belonging to Koya and Lambada communities constitute more than 70,000 electors.
The Yellendu Assembly constituency, presently represented by Telugu Desam’s Vuke Abbaiah, is considered as a traditional bastion of the CPI (ML-New Democracy). Gummadi Narsaiah of the CPI (ML-ND) has won the seat five times in the past.
Lack of effective coordination between the government departments and agencies concerned has inordinately delayed the road work subjecting Adivasis of remote tribal habitations to untold hardships particular during the rainy season.
“The land oustees those displaced by the OCPs of the Singareni Collieries Company Limited in Yellendu and Tekulapalli mandal in the constituency were living in miserable conditions due to government’s apathy,” said Gummadi Narsaiah. “Members of many displaced families are running from pillar to post to secure compensation and relief,” he rued.
The inordinate delay in execution of the proposed minor irrigation project on Munneru at Mulkanuru in Garla mandal and the comprehensive protected drinking water scheme in Yellendu exposed the utter neglect of the ST reserved constituency by the persons at the helm of affairs, he laments.
