Amaravati: The ruling Telugu Desam Party ( TDP ) legislators are leaving no stone unturned to fortify their constituencies in such a way that no opposition can breach it.With the elections nearing, the legislators are spending much of their times in villages in order to consolidate their strength.Some legislators in Guntur district are busy making a new network beyond the party activists and factions. They are building up a base of fans among people, taking the advantage of the state government’s decision to increase the salaries for different employees and contract workers, including Anganwadi workers, ayas, village revenue assistants and home guards.“Earlier, we used to depend completely on the party network to woo the voters. However, we found it difficult to negotiate with the hardcore followers of the rival party. For, the party activists have limitations to approach the people from other camp. So, I thought of developing a dedicated network outside the party committees,” Gurazala legislator Yarapathineni Srinivasa Rao said.While the party cadres will polarize loyal voters to the booth, the outside network will help influence the neutrals and even from rival camp in some cases, he observed.Sources said that the women in self-help groups, Anganwadi workers and village revenue assistants make least 30 per cent of the electorate in each segment and can play a vital role in tilting the balance. TDP legislators are also set to utilize Sadhikara mitras being appointed by the government to oversee the implementation of different schemes at grass root level. There will be at least one Sadhikara mitra for every 35 families in the village. “The inputs collected by the Sadhikara mitras could be very vital in turning the tides in our favour,” said a legislator. Curiously, Gurazala legislator is developing a core team from among the Sadhikara mitras and making them proactive in taking the government schemes to the doorsteps of people.Expressing satisfaction from the intelligence feedback, chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed the party legislators to follow Yarapathineni model in striking a direct bond with different sections of the society. He asked the party legislators to spend little from their own pockets to reach out to people much closer. While the increase in salary has made village revenue assistants and Anganwadi helpers happy, Yarapathineni announced to give gifts and financial help for marriages in their families.He directed the revenue officials to include these small-time employees among the beneficiaries of NTR housing, health scheme and other privileges, while he also started bearing the entire costs of girls’ marriages in SC families in the constituency. “The government welfare schemes would never fully satisfy people as these are not exclusive to individuals. Providing direct financial help to the needy will spread good message among masses,” said a senior official.

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