Minister denies charges of TDP

Hyderabad, Oct 5 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Minister for Irrigation Ponnala Lakshmaiah today denied the charge of the oppsition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders terming the State Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy 'regionalist'.

Addressing a press conference here, he said the TDP leaders were making baseless allegations against the government and the Chief Minister for gaining political mileage.

He alleged that the TDP during its nine year rule in the state had not taken up any irrigation projects in Telangana region and even not discussed in their party forums, in assembly or in the cabinet on the development of the Telangana region.

He said the TDP had not spent even ten per cent of the amount spent by the Congress during last two and half years on irrigation projects in Telangana.

He said the government had taken up welfare projects for the development of backward areas in the state.

He objected the statement made by TDP leaders that the Chief Minister was diverting the Krishna and Godavari waters to Rayalaseema.

He alleged that the TDP President N Chandrababu Naidu had not mentioned anything about the interlinking of rivers in the state though he was a member in the Task Force appointed by the NDA government on interlinking of rivers in the country.

He said the Congress would definitely win the Karimnagar lok Sabha seat in the forthcoming by-election.

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