BJP-JD(S) resp for delay in B'lore Intl airport: YSR

Bangalore, May 6: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Senior Congress leader Rajasekhara Reddy today criticised the previous Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)-Janata Dal(JD)(S) coalition Government in Karnataka responsible for delay in opening of the Bangalore International Airport(BIA) at Devanahalli, about 40 km from here.

Talking to newspersons here, Chief Minister said though the new Airport project was conceived much earlier than Andhra Pradesh, BIA was yet to be thrown open for operations, while the Hyderabad Airport had already become operational.

Dr Reddy said Congress during its regime had given clearance for the much-needed International project. The delay in its opening was due to unstable BJP-JD(S) combine , which indulged in pulling each others legs for portfolios rather than concentrating on its development, he alleged He said Andhra Pradesh overtook Karnataka because a non-congress Government was in power. The State would benefit, if Congress was voted back to power, he added.

Claiming that Congress was committed to implement election promises, Chief Minister said his Government had been supplying rice at Rs two per kg to 90 per cent of the people belonging to poor and downtrodden, as promised by him before the 2004 elections.

He said more than 25 lakh farmers were enjoying free-power under Empowerment of Women programme loans to the extent of Rs 7500 crore at three per cent interest, while women belonging to Self Help Group(SHG) continued to get loans at three per cent. This year the Government had decided to increase the amount to Rs 10,600 crore, he added.

Dr Reddy said All India Congress Committee(AICC) would oversee the implementation of the election manifestos throughout the country and it made a review every six months to ensure early implementation of poll promises.

The Chief Minister said he would campaign for the second and third phases of elections in Karnataka and might campaign in Bellary on May 12 or 13.

UNI