Left parties encouraging regional parties : Congress

Hyderabad, Jan 31 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) today alleged the Left parties, which had emerged as national parties, were encouraging the regional parties to form the 'Third Front' as an alternative to the Congress and BJP.

Addressing the press here, APCC spokesperson P Venkat Rao said CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan's recent statement that the Left parties were in favour of third front in the coming elections to defeat the Congress and BJP was 'disastrous' for the country.

Being a national party leader, he should have the will power.

Instead, the Left leaders was encouraging regional parties to form the third front,'' Mr Rao said.

Stating that the third front would not be ''accountable'' to the country if it was formed before the elections, he exuded confidence that the Congress would retain power at the Centre and state in 2009 elections.

Criticising Congres MP Harirama Jogaiah's remark that the party would be defeated in the coming elections as the state government was not performing well, Mr Rao said Mr Jogaiah's statement would only weaken the party.

Before making such remarks, Mr Jogaiah should have either met Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy or state party leaders, Mr Rao noted.

Mr Jogaiah, apart from making remarks had also sent a letter to Congress President Sonia Gandhi and party incharge of Andhra Pradesh Affairs Veerappa Moily about the alleged corruption in the state government.

APCC spokesperson N Tulasi Reddy, referring to Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N Chandrababu's statement on B Pharma student Ayesha Meera murder case in Vijayawada that the Congress government has failed to control law and order situation, said Mr Naidu himself was attacked by naxals and a minister was killed in an extremist attack during the TDP government, questioning the law and order situation prevailing in the state during his regime.

UNI AP VA ROY AM ND1712