The founder of Madhucon group of companies, Nama Nageswara Rao, is the second richest MP nominee in Telangana. He is seeking re-election from Khammam on a TDP ticket. In a nationwide survey conducted by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR-Daksh) on MPs performance all over India, Nageswara Rao topped the list in the state. Nageswara Rao, who won with a thumping majority of 1.25 lakh votes in the last elections, is yearning to repeat the same performance by cashing in on the Modi wave. As Telangana goes to polls on Wednesday, Rao talks to Express and explains about his campaigning and poll prospects.
How do you react to the comments that your party is an Andhra party?
It is not correct. Everyone knows how I fought for Telangana state. My party gave a letter in support of T State and it is TDP that developed Telangana during its regime. Our party president N Chandrababu Naidu is also not against Telangana.
How do you plan to tackle anti-incumbency?
There is no anti-incumbency factor in my constituency because I ensured development in the constituency beyond people’s expectations.
During my campaign, people are welcoming me with open arms, that shows they want me back.
You are not just a contestant from Khammam constituency but also play a key role in TDP’s poll strategy. As the campaigning is in its last stages, how do you find your party’s poll prospects?
I am getting a great response during my campaign. Wherever I go, people warmly welcome me. I have been always approachable to the people of my constituency and I am familiar with people of all pockets of the constituency. Besides, a Modi wave is sweeping across the nation which is also turning voters in our favour. People are fed up with corrupt and chaotic 10-year rule of the Congress and are looking to Modi at the Centre and the TDP at State level for stable and good governance. Also, this is a crucial time for Telangana and people are realising that if Telangana has to be transformed into ‘Golden Telangana’ TDP has to be voted to power.
What poll promises did you make during the last elections and how many have you fulfilled?
The only poll promise which I made during the last election was to be available to the people of constituency always and I have fulfilled it completely. All the development works and welfare activities which have been initiated in the constituency were due to my efforts at the national level.
What have you done for your constituency during your term?
I initiated development works to the tune of Rs 2,635 crore in Khammam. The Bhadrachalam-Kovvur railway line was set up at a cost of Rs 967 crore. As many as 1,11, 782 houses were built under the Indira Awas Yojana at a cost of Rs 457 crore. More than 1.2 lakh LPG connections were made available for poor and middle class women and `74 crore was invested for starting a drinking water project under UIDSSMT. More than 50,000 Izzat railway passes have been issued to businessmen, employees and workers belonging to downtrodden sections. As many as 1,421 metal roads and 1,118 CC roads were set up at an outlay of Rs 228 crore are some of the major works that were taken up in my constituency due to my personal intervention. Being a TDP MP, I voiced the problems of the constituency at the national level.
Why should people re-elect you?
I have been dedicated to the people of my constituency for the past five years. Unlike many MPs, who visit the constituency only during elections, I have been available for the people 24/7. In spite of shouldering the party’s national responsibilities, I have never neglected Khammam. Moreover, my vision and influence at the national level will help in bringing more funds to the constituency.
