Snap, chop, skin alive... Telangana's rude poll speak

The election campaign in Telangana was similar to a violent Telugu movie laced with the choicest of dialogues, says Rediff.com’s Vicky Nanjappa

With the stakes being high in Telangana -- where elections to 119 assembly and 17 Lok Sabha constituencies will be held on Wednesday -- the use of strong language against opponents has been the order of the day.

The most targeted leader being Telangana Rashtra Samithi chief K Chandrasekara Rao.

Complete Coverage: Lok Sabha Election 2014

Generally considered to be suave and soft spoken, Telugu Desam Party chief Chandrababu Naidu sought to target KCR on several occasions.

During a campaign at Medak, Naidu said, “You drink and sleep at night. You drink and then send drunkards to attack my son Lokesh. Wait and watch, I shall be the chief minister of Seema-Andhra and Narendra Modi the Prime Minister of India. I will ensure that you are chased out of your farmhouse.”

Also taking on the TRS chief was Telugu superstar Pawan Kalyan.

“How dare you speak ill of Narendra Modi? If you continue to do so, I will skin you alive. One more word from you about Modi and see what I will do!” the BJP’s star campaigner said at Warangal.

KCR hit back, saying: “I just have to snap my fingers once and he will be cut into pieces. Who is this small time actor after all? I have never watched his movies. He comes to Warangal and warns KCR. How dare he? He should stop or else at the snap of my finger he will be gone.”

KCR also came under attack from the Congress Chief in Telangana, Ponnala Laxmaiah.

“I am a good man unlike KCR, who indulges in trafficking of women. I have also not been involved in a fake passport racket like him.”

The campaign scene in Seema-Andhra, which goes to polls on May 7, is no less volatile.

YSR Congress chief Jaganmohan Reddy’s sister Sharmila recently made headlines for calling TDP leader Balakrishna a lunatic and a mentally unstable person.

It is just a matter of time before the TDP hits back.

Looking at the campaign it does not appear as though any of the candidates are likely to buckle down.

Complete Coverage: Lok Sabha Election 2014