Parties warn rebels; step up campaigning

Political parties talked tough by setting deadline for all rebels to withdraw and switched over to serious electioneering in the state.

A day after the nominations for the second phase of simultaneous polls in Andhra Pradesh came to a close, political parties talked tough by setting deadline for all rebels to withdraw and switched over to serious electioneering mode with padayatras and rathyatras.

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TDP, Congress and TRS issued an ultimatum to its rebels to withdraw in the larger interest of the party or face serious action.

TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu said, cadres should abide by the party decision in issuing tickets. Rebellion of any nature will not be tolerated as the focus this time was on social justice and giving representation to various sections.

PCC president D Srinivas said the rebels should withdraw and help Congress-led front to defeat TDP-BJP combine in the ensuing elections while TRS has expelled some of the rebels in fray and warned of similar action if others fail to comply with the poll pact norms.

Axe may fall on scores of senior Congress leaders who entered the fray as rebel candidates after being denied ticket mainly due to the pact with TRS and Left parties.