Cong adopts TDP policies: Veerabhadra Rao

Hyderabad, Feb 26 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Floor leader D Veerabhadra Rao today alleged that the ruling Congress Government adopted the same policies implemented by TDP during its nine-year regime in the state and were rejected by the people in 2004 general elections.

Participating in a discussion on general Budget 2008-09 in the Council, Mr Rao said the Congress was pursuing the same policies, which were adopted by the TDP during its regime in the state, though opposed them earlier.

Stating that the people of the state had rejected TDP's policies in the state in the last elections, he predicted that the Congress would face a debacle in the next ones.

Pointing out that the ruling Congress leaders and ministers were taking TDP President and former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's name whenever there was a discussion on any issue, Mr Rao advised them to stop this practise as the Congress-led Government had almost completed four years rule and it was better to speak about the programmes taken up by them in the state.

Alleging that the 2008-09 Budget was against the 'ideals and aspirations' of the ruling Congress, the TDP leader said only 22 per cent of the Rs 1 lakh crore Budget was planned and the rest was non-planned expenditure.

He said the foodgrains production had not increased as expected even as the state received good rainfall in the last three years.

The Government should change the present Mines and Mineral Policy to increase the revenue, he suggested.

UNI AP VA GL KN1727