TDP stir against leasing land to Pantaloons

Hyderabad, Oct 7: Nearly a 100 activists of the main opposition Telugu Desam Party were arrested when they staged a dharna and blocked traffic on an arterial junction, opposing the leasing of prime land to a consortium led by Pantaloon Retail (India) ltd for the development of a Rs 137.82 crore Urban Entertainment Centre.

Former Rajya Sabha member A Rajkumar, former Minister T Srinivasa Yadav and City President P Sayanna, MLA, were among those held and released later, police said.

The government should cancel the lease, take back the land and use it for shifting Hyderabad Collectorate, located in a congested area, party General Secretary E Peddi Reddy told reporters here.

'We will not be surprised if the government sells even historic Charminar, Hussainsagar Lake or the Secretariat to private parties', he, along with Hyderabad Mayor T Krishna Reddy and Mr Sayanna, said.

While the TDP had acquired land for the international airport in a 'transparent' manner, the Congress had caused heartburn to farmers by taking their land without adequate compensation and even its poll allies, including the Left, had joined hands with the TDP in asking for a judicial probe into the Outer Ring Road 'scam,' Mr Reddy said.

UNI