AP CM dubs Naidu as 'born opportunist'

Hyderabad, June 13 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara today dubbed Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President N Chandrababu Naidu as 'born opportunist' and said ''it is sad to see CPI(M) forming alliance with the TDP'' for coming local body polls.

Talking to the media here, Dr Reddy claimed the TDP did not have ideology and its chief was a 'born opportunist.' He pointed out the TDP had criticised the Communists several times in the past. ''It is unfortunate the CPI(M) is going along with TDP in local polls,'' Dr Reddy said.

Referring to CPI(M) State Secretary B V Raghavulu's statement that anybody can support them in local polls, Dr Reddy said political parties contesting in elections was not a philanthropic activity.

During his recent meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Buddadeb Bhattacharya he was told that CPI(M) was not so opportunistic that it will tie up with the TDP in local polls in Andhra Pradesh. But the state CPI(M) did exactly the opposite, he added.

The Chief Minister said Congress has gone out of its way toconcede the demands of CPI(M). He said the party decided to give more seats than they won in the last election.

Dr Reddy accused the TDP of being 'anti-poor.'. For the past three months, his government had taken up the task of issuing ration cards in villages.

''This activity is not connected with elections. The TDP, which failed to give ration cards during its nine-year tenure, has now obstructed the distribution of the cards by complaining to Election Commission,'' he charged.

Asked about Congress' winning chances in panchayat elections, Dr Reddy said people have full faith in the state government and its programmes. They were confident of winning all the 22 Zilla Parishads.

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