CLP criticises TDP's 'Chaitanya Yatra'

Hyderabad, Apr 21 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh Congress Legislature Party (CLP) today criticised the opposition Telugu Desam Party's (TDP) 'Chaitanya Yatra', titled 'Meekosam', being launched from Chittoor District, alleging that the Yatra would only mislead the public.

Talking to newspersons here, the Government Chief Whip N Kiran Kumar Reddy demanded an apology from the TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu to the public for his misdeeds during his nine-year tenure before starting Chaitanya Yatra.

Mr Reddy said the Chaitanya Yatra was only to mislead the people and to cover up his anti-people and anti-farmer policies during the TDP regime.

He further said though Mr Naidu belonged to Chittoor district, he had neglected it and sold the milk dairy and two sugar factories, which were running in profits during the TDP regime. However, soon after the Congress regained power in the state in 2004, it had taken back the sugar factories and planned for their expansion, he added.

Reading out some of the paras in a book 'Manasulomata' written by Mr Naidu, Mr Reddy said the TDP supremo had written in the book that it was difficult to provide rice for Rs two per kg on subsidy and free power to farm sector. Mr Naidu also mentioned in the book that Panchayat system and Cooperative sector were of no use, he added.

He said though the Congress had not promised for Rs two per kg rice in its manifesto before 2004 poll, the State Government had decided to implement the scheme to help the poor people, as it had sufficient revenue to continue the scheme.

While conveying his best wishes to Mr Naidu on his 58th birthday yesterday, Mr Reddy advised him to retire from politics, as he had declared himself a CEO during his tenure.

UNI BR VA KVV PY BST1754