AP CM kicks off campaign from Chevella

Hyderabad, May 15 (UNI) Asserting that his Government had fulfilled all the major poll promises made to the people a year ahead of completion of its term, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today exhorted the people to give another opportunity to serve them by electing the Congress candidates in the May 29 by-elections for four Lok Sabha and 18 Assembly seats.

Kicking off the party's campaign along with AICC Secretary Iqbal Singh and Pradesh Congress President D Srinivas from Chevalla in neighbouring Rangareddy district, he said his government had also responded to the people's needs by introducing new welfare measures like the Rs two-a-kilo rice scheme, not promised by the party in its 2004 election manifesto.

He said his Government had fulfilled every promise, including free power to peasants, waiver of power dues, soft loan for women self help groups, houses and pension to all based on saturation concept.

On the other hand, his predecessor N Chandrababu Naidu had abandoned the subsidised rice scheme, started by TDP founder N T Rama Rao, giving a go-by to its poll promise, he alleged.

It augured well for the party to go for the by-elections and later the general elections with Mr Srinivas as the State President.

He assured the people that his government would initiate the mammoth Pranahita-Chevalla lift irrigation project to provide Godavari water to parched lands in this area.

With their good wishes and God's grace, his Government would work for the people's welfare with commitment and dedication, he assured the people.

Dr Reddy left for campaign after paying floral tributes to the statue of Rajiv Gandhi and Dr B R Ambedkar in the city.

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