AP politicos try to 'in swing' voters with cricket kits in 'ballot' match

The stupendous success of Indian cricket team in Pakistan appears to have cast its spell in electioneering in Andhra Pradesh with aspirants trying to woo the voters, youth in particular, with cricket kits.

Trying a 'new line', the netas are charting unusual 'lengths' to play a different ball game by distributing cricket kits to 'in swing' the voters' support in their favour, while the political rivals were crying 'no ball' by tipping off police and media.

Cricket kit bags with party symbols and candidates' names have been seized at various places in the state giving a new dimension to the art of luring voters.

Tirupati Lok Sabha candidate Chinta Mohan was trapped plumb before the wicket when police, tipped by BJP workers, seized kit bags yesterday with the party symbol, contestant's photo and an appeal to elect him.

Another vehicle carrying cricket kits was intercepted at Nalgonda. The goods were in transit to Khammam and belong to TDP Lok Sabha candidate N Nageshwara Rao.

The first stump out was declared recently when police found a truck load of cricket kits in the name of Jyotula Nehru, TDP candidate of Jaggampet in East Godavari district.

It was soon followed by a similar incident in Anakapalli of the neighbouring Viskahapatnam district involving Congress candidate for Lok Sabha, Nanda Gopal.

Going by the heavy demand, sports shops are making the most by inflating the price many times. The kit which normally cost Rs 800 is being sold up to Rs 2,000.

Each kit consists of a bat, two pads, a batting and a wicket keeping gloves, two abdominal guards, four balls and three stumps with a bag to hold them all.

"The goods come from Meerut, Ludhiana and Jalandhar and there is heavy demand for the kits," said a sports kits dealer who claims to have more orders on hand. The second phase poll is slated for April 26 while the first phase was held yesterday.

The order for sports kits to be distributed under the Chief Minister's employment Yojna (CMEY) started in November just before the Assembly was dissolved and momentum picked up with the nearing of election date.

Opposition parties too followed suit and were ordering kits in large numbers and in city the distribution is done very meticulously ensuring that no area in 'uncovered'.

BJP alleged that Congress candidate was distributing school bags and cricket kit bags to woo the voters.

The pitch was equally bouncy in Nalgonda district, where police sized truck loads of cricket kits belonging to TDP candidate for Tungaturthi Assembly seat, S Vekateswara Rao.

This time the wickets were spreadeagled with the yorker bowled by CPM, the main rival of TDP.