AP CM announces probe into politicians assets

Hyderabad, Mar 31 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy tonight agreed to hold a high-level judicial probe into the assets of all legislators and those, who had served as Ministers for the last 15 years.

The Chief Minister made the announcement responding to TDP MLA V Narender Reddy during the discussion on the no confidence motion moved by Leader of Opposition N Chandrababu Naidu.

Accepting the challenge of the TDP Legislature Party Deputy Leader T Devender Goud, Dr Reddy said the party had no objection to conduct an inqury not only into assets of sitting legislators, but also into the assets of those, who had served as ministers in the last 15 years in the State. He would write to the High Court in this regard, he added.

Intervening, Mr Naidu demanded that the House adopt a formal resolution, urging the High Court to conduct the probe.

Speaker K R Suresh Reddy adjourned the House to tomorrow for the Government to come out with a formal resolution in this regard.

Hailing the Chief Minister for accepting the challenge, Agriculture Minister N Raghuveera Reddy criticised Mr Naidu for scuttling the probe into disproportionate assets case filed by TDP Founder N T Rama Rao's widow Lakshmi Parvati.

Earlier, Housing Minister Botsa Satyanarayana accepted Mr Narender Reddy's challenge and said the Congress had no objection to conduct an inquiry into the assets of the legislators from the date of their entry into politics.

The Communist Party of India(CPI) Floor leader Chada Venkata Reddy, BJP Floor Leader G Kishan Reddy and the CPI(ML) New Democracy MLA, G Narasaiah also urged the Speaker to pass a resolution in this regard.

UNI SM/BR MIR HT2124