The Hindu : Polavaram promise a farce, says YSR

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 16, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Polavaram promise a farce, says YSR

By Our Staff Reporter

ANAKAPALLE (VISAKHAPATNAM), FEB. 15. The former Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, on Sunday accused the Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, with attempts to hoodwink people by promising to take up the multi-purpose Polavaram project.

"He slept like a Kumbhakarna all these years and did nothing despite being in power for over eight years. How can we trust him and his tall promises after his failure to implement Deepam scheme which he had announced on the eve of last Assembly polls'', Dr. Reddy asked, while addressing a well-attended DWCRA sadassu here at the Rao Gopal Rao stadium grounds.

The crowds which attended the meeting cheered him loudly whenever he took potshots at the Telugu Desam Party Government, and accused Mr. Naidu of shedding crocodile tears for the cause of womenfolk.

The sadassu was organised by the DWCRA Coordination Committee (DCC) and the All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA).

Amidst thunderous applause, Dr. Reddy announced that the Congress, if voted back to power, would give concession in registration charges for those who register properties in the name of women, free power to farmers, impose a ban on belt shops and make a serious attempt to re-introduce total prohibition.

Tumultuous welcome

Enthusiastic supporters raised full-throated slogans as he acknowledged their greetings. Not disappointing anyone, he stopped wherever he was invited to address wayside meetings during his 40-km-long yatra from Visakhapatnam to Anakapalle.

With the large cavalcade of vehicles throwing traffic out of gear intermittently on the busy National Highway, Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, took three hours to reach the jaggery town of Anakapalle.

"The response here is unique. Such a response in north coastal Andhra, considered a bastion of the yellow brigade, suggest a lot of things that will unfold in the next two months,'' a YSR aide, said, after the party's main crowd-puller, took the regular flight for Chennai.

After unveiling Indira Gandhi's statue at Burujupeta in the Old City here, Dr. Reddy met the striking leaders of Bharat Heavy Plate and Vessels (BHPV) Joint Action Committee at the public sector unit's main gate and addressed a large gathering.

Dr. Reddy blamed the BJP-TDP combine with attempts to sell off the profit-making PSU for Rs. 20-40 crores to Larsen and Toubro. "If Congress is voted back to power, we will finalise a bail-out package. If required, the Congress Government will not mind taking over the unit,'' he declared amidst loud cheers.

He said the Kakinada Port was handed over to a private party for Rs. 950 crores on a 30-year lease. After striking the deal, it (management) sought a relief of Rs. 450 crores and the Cabinet Sub-Committee set up to consider it, set aside all norms and cleared a sales tax exemption amounting to Rs. 300 crores.

Dr. Reddy's speech was on a different tone when he met the employees of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant at the VSP main gate. "I am happy that the workers have put up hard work to achieve a turnaround and earn a profit of Rs. 1,000 crores,'' he said and wished that VSP would be considered a role model for other PSUs.

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