CM disapproves violence against evangelist

Kadapa, June 10 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekara Reddy today appealed to the Congress to exercise restraint and said Evangelist K A Paul should be allowed to carry on his activities.

Talking to reporters after laying the foundation stone for an integrated steel plant at Ambapuram near Jammalamadu in this district, he said, ''it is improper to indulge in violence. Paul should be allowed to carry on his activities''.

The Chief Minister's appeal came in the wake of Congress activitists damaging furniture in the preacher's office in Hyderabad and gheraoing him when he reached the airport in Visakhapatnam enroute Kakinada to hold evangelists' meeting.

The Congress partymen had condemned Paul after his allegations that Dr Reddy had sought Rs 20 crore from him towards party fund, ahead of the 2004 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. He had also charged that the Chief Minister did not arrange the visit of party President Sonia Gandhi to his orphanage for failing to provide the amount.

UNI