Telangana: Down and dirty on campaign trail, politicians get abusive

Hyderabad: Getting personal is not a big deal in Telangana and Andhra politics. Small leaders to big leaders, all abuse each other during the election campaign. But, the current election has seen much worse. Top leaders openly abusing each other has now become a regular feature. This time, even film stars have joined the netas to prove that they are no less.

Telugu superstar Pavan Kalyan, whose newly launched political party Jana Sena is backing the BJP, has been attacking TRS chief K Chandrashekhara Rao across Telangana.

Addressing an election rally in Warangal district, Pavan Kalyan said, "If KCR does not stop attacking Modi, I will skin him alive."

Predictably, an angry KCR, who is known for making personal attacks hit back. "Who is this Pavan Kalyan? Some sundry actor. I have never seen any of his movies. If I snap a finger, he will be cut into hundred pieces. How dare he come to Warangal and attack me?"

An hour later, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu also attacked KCR. Addressing an election meeting at Gajwel Assembly seat, where KCR is contesting, Naidu said, "KCR drinks litres of alcohol during the night and sleeps. He will be kicked out of Telangana after the elections." He even warned that the "new Prime Minister" Narendra Modi will ensure that KCR will be kicked out of Telangana, bag and baggage.

The women are not far behind either. YS Sharmila, sister of YSR Congress chief Jagan Mohan Reddy, called Telugu film actor NT Balakrishna a mentally unstable person. "Balakrishna had shot at producer Bellam Konda Suresh, and had subsequently got a certificate from a psychiatrist stating that his mental condition was not good," she said while addressing an election meeting in Hindupur. "If we elect mentally unsound persons, we too will become mentally unsound. Balakrishna may have been a good actor, but one who can't be a good person, can't be a good politician," she said.

In the most vicious politics of undivided Andhra Pradesh, most top leaders have crossed the Lakshman Rekha of decency and are continuously making personal attacks, sometimes in the filthiest language.

The Election Commission has been flooded with complaints and counter complaints over the matter. It remains to be seen what action the poll body takes.