Cong would strive for rural development:APCC

Vijayawada, Jun 4 (UNI) The Congress today announced that it would have alliance with like minded parties other than BJP and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) for the Panchayat Elections.

Addressing a Press Conference here, APCC President K Kesava Rao said the party's manifesto would be 'rural development in full swing'.

He said the objective of the party was to bring about allround development of villages.

Asked whether the TRS would merge with the Congress, he said '' except the BJP and TDP, we welcome any party into our fold.'' Asked about spiralling land prices in coastal Andhra Pradesh due to the confusion about seperate Telangana state, he said there was no confusion, and added it was all ''media hype''.

Referring to the allegations made by CPI(M) politbureau member B V Raghavulu against the Andhra Pradesh government, Mr Rao said allegations were not true and they would not create any hurdle in the way of alliance with CPI(M).

Mr Rao said district committees would be appointed to look into the local body elections. Local party leaders would be given a free hand to finalise the candidates in the Panchayat elections.

He expressed confidence that the Congress would win the polls with a comfortable margin.

Asked about the incident of a pastor propagating Christianity in the temple at Simhachalam, Mr Rao said he did not approve of such acts. Such incidents would affect the sentiments of Hindus.

Later, addressing the party mini-plenary meeting, he said Congress workers and leaders should bury differences among themselves and work for the success of the party candidates in the Panchayat elections.

UNI MVB/CS SHR HT1406