Congress criticises Naidu's remarks on PM

Hyderabad, Aug 1 (UNI) The ruling Congress government in Andhra Pradesh locked horns with the main opposition TDP over the latter's remark that Dr Manmohan Singh had become the Prime Minister through the ''backdoor''.

Interacting with mediapersons after a Cabinet meeting, the Ministers took strong objection to Mr Naidu's remark against the Prime Minister and recalled that ''it was Mr Naidu who had come to power through the ''backdoor'', betraying the TDP founder and then Chief Minister N T Rama Rao by staging a political coup.'' Talking to reporters, Mr Rosaiah also took exception to Mr Naidu dubbing Dr Singh as a ''powerless Prime Minister''. ''Unlike the TDP leaders' ''dictatorial attitude'', the Prime Minister took decisions based on the principle of collective responsibility,'' he arrested.

State party official spokesperson N Tulasi Reddy said that Naidu's remark ''enabled either a Lok Sabha member or Rajya Sabha member to become Prime Minister'' amounted to ''disrespect to the Constitution.'' Alleging that rampant corruption prevailed during the Chandrababu Naidu regime, the Congress Legislature Party noted that Dr Singh had served the country for the last 50 years in various capacities and the people of entire country had faith in him. Mr Naidu had no right to make comments on the Prime Minister, Government Chief Whip N Kirankumar Reddy said.

UNI