BJP collects donations for quake victims

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, FEB. 1. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today launched a drive in the busy Secunderabad market area to collect cash donations from the public to provide relief to the Gujarat earthquake victims.

A large team of senior partymen led by the BJP State president, Mr. C. Ramachandra Reddy, solicited donations from each shop and from passing motorists for well over an hour in the morning. Several film actors and actresses associated with the BJP were also present.

Among those who participated in the drive were the Union Minister of State for Urban Development, Mr. Bandaru Dattatreya, Mr. A. Narendra, MP, Mr. N. Indrasena Reddy, Dr. K. Lakshman, Mr. Ramakrishna Reddi, Mr. Venkataramana Reddy, Mr. Parthasarathy, all MLAs, Mr. B. Bal Reddy, ex-MLA, Mr. G. Kishen Reddy, State Treasurer, Mr. C. Ramachandra Reddy, City president, Mr. Bhanuchander, Mr. Giri Babu, Mr. Sivakrishna, Mr. Phani Babu and Ms. Krishnaveni, film personalities.

The campaign was taken up in response to the decision of the BJP's central leadership to donate Rs. 25 crores for quake relief work in Gujarat. Mr. Dattatreya said the BJP City unit itself would collect Rs. 25 lakhs for the purpose inclusive of contributions from party workers. It is despatching nearly 10 lakh square feet of tent-quality tarpaulin worth nearly Rs. 15 lakhs apart from two lorryloads of bamboo poles to Ahmedabad on a request from the Gujarat Government, he added.

The BJP State unit has appealed to all ordinary members of the party to donate at least Rs. 10 each, active members Rs 100 each and elected representatives, including MPs, MLAs, Mayors, Corporators, Councillors and others to contribute a month's salary to the Gujarat victims.

Earlier, addressing the partymen near the Gandhi statue in Secunderabad, Mr. Ramachandra Reddy and others explained the gravity of the disaster in Bhuj and stressed the need to donate money generously.

Meanwhile, the BJP president has convened a meeting of party office-bearers at Lakshmi Gardens in Uppal here on February 3 to review the efforts to assist the quake victims, finalise the dates for the State Council meeting and discuss the political situation in the State. Central Ministers from AP, MPs, MLAs, district party observers, zonal in-charges and morcha presidents would participate.

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Section  : Southern States
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