Cong failed to protect AP interests in riparian row: TDP

Hyderabad, Sep 7 (UNI) Accusing the Congress Government in Andhra Pradesh of failing to protect the state's interests on the 'illegal' projects across River Krishna by the upper riparian states, the main opposition Telugu Desam Party today claimed that farmers suicides during the Congress regime were more than during the TDP regime.

Briefing reporters about the party's politburo meeting chaired by TDP President N Chandrababu Naidu, party Parliamentary Party leader K Yerran Naidu alleged that the Rajasekhara Reddy Government had turned a blind eye to Karnataka and Maharashtra constructing 58 'illegal' projects. The Congress Government had failed to argue the State's case well before the new Krishna Waters tribunal, he charged.

The report submitted by the Andhra Pradesh Government to the Centre while seeking a special package was enough proof that the state had witnessed more number of farmers suicides during the present Congress regime than in the previous TDP rule, he contended.

Referring to peasants' problems, he said the TDP decided to form a five-member committee to study the issue. The members would tour various states and come out with a detailed report.

Castigating the Rajasekhara Reddy Government for alleged failure to fulfil its poll promise on power supply to farmers, the party demanded that the Congress Government ensure a minimum of nine hours of uninterupted power supply to them.

The TDP decided to hold detailed review meetings to study the party's performance in the recent local body elections and chalk out strategies to face the next Lok Sabha and Assembly polls. The party would organise training programmes for cadre in every 'mandal.' UNI SM LS HT2155