TDP to organise state-wide dharna on power issue on Dec 28

Hyderabad, Dec 25 (UNI) Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President and former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today said the party would organise dharnas in front of all power sub-stations on December 28 to mount pressure on the government for at least nine hour supply to the agriculture sector.

Addressing the press here, he said all TDP leaders and activists, along with farmers, would participate in the dharna to protest against the government's 'indifferent attitude' to solving power shortage problems in the state.

Alleging that the ruling Congress had failed to supply nine hours power to the agriculture sector though it had promised during the elections that it would supply 12 hours on coming to power, he said the government has also failed to strengthen the transmission and distribution systems.

The power sector in toto had collapsed in the 20 month Congress rule, Mr Naidu alleged, adding, farmers were facing problems and were literally on the roads. The TDP would stand by them and struggle till their plight was solved.

The Government had created an 'artificial power shortage' as there was no efficiency or planning in supply, he said.

To a query, the TDP Chief said the party was ready to join hands with other parties to fight the government on the power issue, if any party, including Telangana Rastra Samithi (TRS), came forward.

UNI AP VD HT1423