'Smoke' from beedi controversy engulfs poll scene in AP

Hyderabad, Nov 24 (UNI) The 'smoke' generated by the beedi controversy refused to disperse in thin air in the run up to the crucial bye-election to the beedi worker-dominated Karimnagar Lok Sabha constituency with major parties trading charges against each other.

Talking to reporters here, TDP President N Chandrababu Naidu said TRS Chief K Chandrasekhara Rao could not escape responsibility as he was a minister when the 'anti-labour' order making it statutory to print warning sign on beedi packs was passed.

Andhra Pradesh Health Minister K Rosaiah who tried his best to contain the political fallout of the Centre's decision returned empty-handed with Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss reportedly making it clear there was no going back on the decision which had been supported by all parties in Parliament.

Karimnagar District has nine beedi factories employing 2.5 lakh workers of whom two lakh belong to the Karimnagar Lok Sabha Constituency The beedi workers form a seventh of the Lok Sabha electorate of 14 lakh-odd voters in the constituency.

All the parties are trying to woo the beedi voters and in the process, blaming each other for the Centre's decision.

While TRS Chief and former Union Labour Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao blamed the UPA Government Health Minister, the TDP hit out at both the Congress and the TRS.

The Congress maintained the Act was brought in 2003 when the TDP-supported NDA government was in power and passed in 2005 when Mr Chandrasekhara Rao was the Union Labour Minister.

UNI SM/JRK PKS ND2126