While outwardly state Congress leaders have been claiming that the poll promises of Naidu of providing Rs 2,000 per month for the BPL families, Rs 1,500 per month for the poor and Rs 1,000 per month for the middle class families were too ambitious and non-implementable, within party circles, a kind of concern has set in whether these sops can sway the electorate in favour of the TDP.
"The free colour TV sets offer is not new and not as bothersome as the cash transfer scheme. The promise of a life-long pension and a one-time colour TV offer can sway many families to vote for the TDP," one Congress leader admitted.
According to Congress sources, since Naidu made the announcements, the chief minister has been discussing with his team the steps that can be taken to counter it. "We will have to come up with something which will compete with this if not better it," said one leader, this indicating that a bonanza is in store for the electorate of the state if the sops offered by all the parties are put together.
Already, SMSes have been circulating in the state claiming on the chief minister's behalf that all those poor students studying in educational institutions like engineering and medicine need not fear if they do not have the resources to pay their fees as the chief minister would take care of it. "If not the party, at least CM loyalists or supporters could be sending the SMS," said a Congress leader.
Rajasekhara Reddy was anyhow slated to go to New Delhi to finalise the list of candidates for the assembly and Lok Sabha elections from the state. "However, Naidu's poll sops have infused a sense of urgency. The party will come up with its answer to the TDP manifesto shortly," said Congress sources.
