Congress to be in the field in Karimnagar : YSR

New Delhi, Oct 4 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajashekhara Reddy today asserted the party will contest elections in Karimnagar when declared by the Election Commission.

Stating there was absolutely 'no truth'' in the reports that the Congress may not field its candidate in Karimnagar Lok Sabha seat against Telangana Chief and former Union Minister K Chandrashekhara Rao, Dr Reddy told newspersons the party high command will decide upon the nominee at appropriate time.

Asked if the CPI and CPI-M are supporting the Congress, he replied 'We are expecting their support".

Dr Reddy who met Congress president Sonia Gandhi to apprise her about the latest political situation in the state however avoided to say anything about the meeting by saying that it would not be fair for the media to ask questions about the meeting nor it would be proper for him to reveal what he discussed her.

Earlier in the day, Dr Reddy attended a meeting on inter-state Polavaram and Ichampalli irrigation project convened by Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz.

In the meeting, the Chief Minister urged the Centre to grant all necessary clearances for the project specified by Justice Bachawat tribunal which arbitrated the Krishna-Godavari disputes. He said the Polavaram had obtained 12 of the 19 clearances and he had urged Prof Soz and the Central Water Commission to speed the rest of the clearances.

Dr Reddy said his government was ready for joint inspection of Polavaram and Ichampalli project and resolve the problem of submergence with Orissa and 95 per cent of the submergence area would fall in Andhra Pradesh.

Even the submergence in Orissa could be reduced by building bunds. The Government was ready with a good relief and rehabilitation package if submergence was inevitable. Prof Soz on his part said he would come back to Andhra Pradesh after discussions with other riparian states Maharashtra, Orissa and Chhattisgarh.

UNI MCN PA MIR RN1753