Pepper spray act likely to turn controversial MP into hero in Vijayawada
Vijaywada: Andhra cuisine is known to be spicy and peppery, but in Vijaywada in central Andhra Pradesh, pepper has suddenly got new significance.
L Rajagopal, the MP from Vijayawada who put India to shame by using pepper spray inside the Parliament on other MPs, may well be received like a hero in his constituency. From being attacked with slippers and stones by voters months ago, the atmosphere at his residence in Vijayawada today is a complete contrast - posters calling the MP a leader, policemen on bandobust and brisk activity outside by party workers.
"L Rajagopal is there to prevent Telangana. He has proven a point. When he comes we will invite him and that will be our festival" says Sharat Babu, youth Congress chief of Vijayawada.
However, the average voter on the ground does not agree. "Whether I vote or not for Rajagopal is another point. I may or may not be against him - but I want a peaceful representation of my voice through my MPs in the Lok Sabha. I expect them to behave like gentlemen" says Bhavani Prasad, a senior citizen.
"I agree there was such ugly chaos. It is PM and Sonia's fault. They did not do their homework either on the subject and ignored the fact that the bill being tabled could provoke a situation like that," said Pattabhirama, a member of the Andhra Prasdesh Chamber of Commerce.
With emotions running so high on both sides of the state, the fear is that such acts could only make the divide more apparent and wide.
"If the state is divided, certainly the problem will continue. Are we to expect such similar scenes here on the ground?" asks Matta Jayakar, a senior advocate and member of the Joint action committee for a United Andhra Pradesh.
Until recently, political experts had written off the careers of several MPs from Seemandhra, especially from the Congress, believing that not much was done to stop the formation of a separate state. There is suddenly a sense of hope for their supporters now. While Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy may choose the option of starting a new party after consulting MPs and MLAs from Seemandhra, YSR Congress chief Jagan Reddy and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N Chandrababu Naidu too are revamping strategy to get the edge over the others in Seemandhra. Meanwhile, several citizens of the Seemandhra region plan to fill trains to New Delhi to protest against the passing of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill before February 21, when the Parliament session ends.
L Rajagopal, the MP from Vijayawada who put India to shame by using pepper spray inside the Parliament on other MPs, may well be received like a hero in his constituency. From being attacked with slippers and stones by voters months ago, the atmosphere at his residence in Vijayawada today is a complete contrast - posters calling the MP a leader, policemen on bandobust and brisk activity outside by party workers.
"L Rajagopal is there to prevent Telangana. He has proven a point. When he comes we will invite him and that will be our festival" says Sharat Babu, youth Congress chief of Vijayawada.
However, the average voter on the ground does not agree. "Whether I vote or not for Rajagopal is another point. I may or may not be against him - but I want a peaceful representation of my voice through my MPs in the Lok Sabha. I expect them to behave like gentlemen" says Bhavani Prasad, a senior citizen.
"I agree there was such ugly chaos. It is PM and Sonia's fault. They did not do their homework either on the subject and ignored the fact that the bill being tabled could provoke a situation like that," said Pattabhirama, a member of the Andhra Prasdesh Chamber of Commerce.
With emotions running so high on both sides of the state, the fear is that such acts could only make the divide more apparent and wide.
"If the state is divided, certainly the problem will continue. Are we to expect such similar scenes here on the ground?" asks Matta Jayakar, a senior advocate and member of the Joint action committee for a United Andhra Pradesh.
Until recently, political experts had written off the careers of several MPs from Seemandhra, especially from the Congress, believing that not much was done to stop the formation of a separate state. There is suddenly a sense of hope for their supporters now. While Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy may choose the option of starting a new party after consulting MPs and MLAs from Seemandhra, YSR Congress chief Jagan Reddy and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N Chandrababu Naidu too are revamping strategy to get the edge over the others in Seemandhra. Meanwhile, several citizens of the Seemandhra region plan to fill trains to New Delhi to protest against the passing of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill before February 21, when the Parliament session ends.
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