What is probably the oldest trick in Indian elections is being repeated in Andhra Pradesh on a large scale. It is no secret that political rivals confuse voters by fielding candidates who share similar names as that of a major party candidate to split votes. In the run up to the 2019 assembly and general elections to be held in Andhra Pradesh in the first phase, a lesser-known party founded by an evangelist seems to be applying this strategy across the state.
Praja Shanti Party with K.A. Paul as its president is contesting all 175 assembly seats. The party announced that they will be fighting the elections independently for the first time. The party is not significant enough to be compared to major parties as it does not have a proper structure or cadre base. However, the party is in the news for its striking similarities with YSR Congress Party, even when it comes to choosing candidates. The opposition party has called it a conspiracy against them by the TDP.
The Praja Shanti Party’s logo and flag are quite similar to YSRCP. The party is increasingly seen using campaign material with the colours blue, green and white that is usually associated with YSRCP. The coincidence did not stop there as the party was allotted ‘helicopter’ election symbol by the Election Commission of India, while the symbol of YSRCP is 'fan'.
This has irked the YSRCP leaders who approached the Election Commission to change the symbol of Praja Shanti Party since it is very similar to their symbol citing this could have an impact during voting.
Meanwhile, the list of candidates of Praja Shanthi Party has shocked YSRCP. In many assembly constituencies, the names of the candidates were quite similar to the YSRCP candidates.
In Rayadurgam assembly constituency, the name of YSRCP candidate is K. Ramchandra Reddy, while that of Praja Shanti Party's is U. Ramchandra Reddy. YSRCP's sitting MLA from Uruvakonda is Y. Vishweshwar Reddy. The person who filed nomination on behalf of Paul’s party is Vishwanath Reddy.
In Penukonda, M. Shankar Narayan is in fray from the YSRCP, while N. Shankar Narayana has filed nomination from the other party. In Anantapur urban, A. Venkatram Reddy of the YSRCP is in contest, whereas V. Venkatram Reddy is being fielded from the Praja Shanthi. In Dharmavaram, YSRCP's K. Venkatrami Reddy will have to be wary of P. Venkatrami Reddy. A similar trend can be seen in dozens of other constituencies.
The YSRCP leaders have accused K.A. Paul of helping Chandrababu Naidu to secretly split votes. They said it was a bigger plan of the TDP to confuse voters and decrease the vote share of their party. In a public meeting on Monday, YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy appeal to people to be alert while voting.
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But Paul, who was once a globally sought after Christian evangelist, has a lot to answer going by the accusations made against him.
“We have been tracking him for some time now. It is clear he is working at the behest of Chandrababu Naidu. Few months back, his strategy was to nominate priests or church staff to prevent Christian and dalit votes from going to the YSRCP. This plan did not work, so now his party is playing these dirty tricks. This man was going through a financial crisis till recently. But now you can see him in fancy cars accompanied by bouncers and police staff. How is this man getting ample coverage in news channels and media outlets close to the TDP?” questoned a senior BJP leader from AP who did not want to be quoted.
Paul could not be contacted as he did not respond to calls or messages. His party leader Suresh said their party was registered in 2008 and they did not copy the symbol from the YSRCP.
