AP CM to participate in UPA celebrations

Hyderabad, May 17 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy left for New Delhi this morning on a two-day visit to participate in the celebrations to mark the completion of three years of UPA government in office.

Dr Reddy is expected to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, and several Central Ministers to discuss some of the state's problems.

According to sources in the CMO, Dr Reddy would meet Ms Gandhi this evening and urge her to prevail upon the Central Government to withdraw its order on skull and bones pictorial warning on beedi packets. He is also expected to brief her on the developments in the party in the state.

Sources said Dr Reddy would meet Union Ministers for Finance, Water Resources, Defence, Energy and Rural Development and discuss with them about clearances for various projects and flow of funds to the state.

He might discuss with the Congress High Command about the suspension of four MLAs, including one associate MLA, who allegedly cross-voted during the recent Legislative Council elections.

Dr Reddy would also attend a dinner hosted by PCC President K Keshava Rao to state MPs in Delhi, sources added.

UNI