She may have made a mark as a first time MP and also as a Union Minister but the tag of being legendary actor NTR's daughter continues to be Daggubati Purandeswari's USP.
She is now fighting her second election from a different constituency, having won from Bapatla Lok Sabha segment in her maiden political venture.
"Visakhapatnam is not new to me. I have good connections with the city as well as the people here," Purandeswari says, recalling her days when she used to accompany her father N T Rama Rao on film shoots to this beautiful port city.
Purandeswari is pitted against former MP and senior TDP leader M V V S Murthy, who is vigorously using the 'local' tag to promote his chances. Another local candidate is BJP's D V Subba Rao, a former Mayor of Visakhapatnam.
However, Rao, a cricket administrator and a former chairman of Bar Council of India, suffered a hipbone fracture while campaigning last week and is now confined to bed.
"Though it is a multi-cornered contest, people of Vizag have shown a lot of warmth and affection that should make my victory easy," Purandeswari told PTI.
Her nomination has not gone down well with a section of the Congress led by former Union minister and a local heavyweight T Subbirami Reddy, whose plea to contest the poll was rejected by the party high command.
Asked about the rebel factor, Purandeswari said: "I don't think of such things. Yes, there is the rebel factor but very less as compared to other parties. The Congress leadership is talking to the so-called rebels and in the interest of the party they are working together."
Purandeswari is practically meeting every section of the electorate daily besides holding special meetings with trade unions, caste associations, traders and other communities.
"The kind of response that I am getting from the people here makes me feel that I am blessed. My objective is to work here with all of them and be successful," she said.
The Union Minister is also banking on the programmes of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy government in the state.
"A lot has been done in the last five years both on the development as well as welfare fronts. That should stand
the Congress in good stead," she noted.
Wittingly or unwittingly, NTR's family has been dragged into political mud-slinging in this election more
than at any other time.
