'Slap' to ensure victory in election

Nizamabad, Andhra Pradesh, May 8: Continuing the sentiment that he was following during the time of filing nomination in the previous elections, the senior TDP leader M Venkateswara Rao received a slap on his cheek before submitting his nomination papers.

Mr Rao, who was contesting from Ditchpalli Assembly constituency in the bypoll, came to the office of returning officer along with his wife and party workers yesterday. Before filing the nomination papers, Mr Rao's brother-in-law P Kutumba Rao slapped him after reciting hymns, infront of his wife and other party leaders.

Speaking to newspersons here, he said ''I am following the sentiment since last four years, to ensure victory in the election.

Earlier, his mother, who passed away recently, slapped him before filing nominations.'' Mr Rao was the Education Minister in the previous TDP regime and had won thrice from Ditchpalli constituency. He however, lost in 2004 when the TDP was routed to its worst electoral fortune.

UNI