Politics no dance sequence in film: CM to chiranjeevi

Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, Sep 11 (UNI) Asserting that the Congress was fully geared up to face the elections to the Lok Sabha and the State Assembly, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today launched a scathing attack on the main opposition Telugu Desam Party and newly-founded Praja Rajyam Party of matinee idol Chiranjeevi.

Addressing a public meeting in presence of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, he wanted the asked to point out to the actor that ''service to people is not a dance sequence in a film''.

Referring to TDP President N Chandrababu Naidu's ''Meekosam yatra,'' which concluded last month, he asked the people to corner the opposition leader ''for whose benefit he had undertaken the tour after doing nothing for the benefit of the people for nine long years''.

Alleging that only TDP activists and contractors benefited from the centrally-sponsored Food for work programme, he said on the other hand, the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme had benefited a large number of farm labourers.

Dr Reddy recalled that Ms Gandhi had visited Anantapur several times after 2003 to provide succour to the families of farmers, who had committed sucide with the state witnessing drought for seven consecutive years.

Earlier, Pradesh Congress Chief D Srinivas, while admitting that the state was facing fertiliser shortage, assured farmers that the Congress Government would take all steps to overcome the problem.

He criticised the opposition parties for allegedly politicising the problem.

UNI SM GL KP1919