APCC takes strong exception to Naidu's allegation

Hyderabad, Sep 13 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) today took strong exception to Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President N Chandrababu Naidu's allegations that Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy was encouraging and implementing the 'Rayalaseema factionism' in the state.

Talking to newspersons at the party headquarters 'Gandhi Bhavan' here, party spokesperson N Tulasi Reddy asked Mr Naidu to publicly apologise to the people of Rayalaseema for his ''derogatory remarks.'' He alleged that Mr Naidu was trying to describe the Rayalaseema region, which was the birthplace of various prominent and great leaders, as a ''factionists region''.

He said if the TDP leaders belonging to the Rayalaseema region had any respect for the great culture of the region, they should condemn the statements of their leader.

The Congress leader alleged that the TDP leader, during his tenure as Chief Minister, had encouraged ''factionism'' in the state and protected the criminals.

Mr Naidu had released 1,500 TDP workers and leaders who were involved in ''criminal activities'' and facing court cases by lifting their cases under the CRPC 321, he said.

He alleged that Mr Naidu, using his position as Chief Minister, had given ''shelter'' and ''financial help'' to the culprits involved in the murder of Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's father Y S Raja Reddy in 1998.

He said people of Rayalaseema would not tolerate any disrespect to the culture of their region and would teach a lesson to him at an appropriate time.

UNI