APCC deplores Chandrababu Naidu's attitude

Hyderabad, Jan 30 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) today criticised Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N Chandrababu Naidu for his remarks against the welfare schemes being implemented by the State government in the name of late Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.

Addressing a press conference here, Party Spokesperson N Tulasi Reddy said there was no fault in implementing the schemes in the name of leaders like Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.

He said when the TDP had established the NTR Health University, NTR Stadium and NTR gardens and instituted the NTR award, the Congress had appreciated the moves to honour TDP founder president N T Rama Rao.

Mr Reddy claimed it was difficult for the TDP to come to power again in the State as the people were frustrated with the TDP's nine- year stint. The people of the State would not give a chance to the TDP president to remove the names of Rajiv Gandhi and Indira Gandhi from the welfare schemes and projects being implemented by the State government.

He refuted TDP leaders' allegations that the Congress had neglected social justice. The main aim of the Congress and its Government was to provide social justice to all sections of the society.

He said the TDP, which had neglected the welfare of the people and social justice during its tenure, was now talking about social justice only to mislead the people and gain political advantage.

Mr Reddy said the Congress right from 1885 had given prominence to the weaker sections of the society and worked towards maintaining social equality.

He recalled that Dalit leader Damodaram Sanjeevaiah had become the Chief Minister in 1960 and AICC President in 1962 and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had introduced special component plan for the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Class for their welfare.

The Congress leader said his party had given 25 per cent reservation to the Backward Classes in educational institutions and 34 per cent reservation in local bodies.

He said out of 40 ministers in the State Cabinet, 21 belonged to the backward classes and held important portfolios.

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