TDP defends decision

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, FEB. 7. The Telugu Desam Party has denied it has any mala fide intentions in postponing Panchayati Raj elections and termed the Congress charge to the effect `politically motivated'. It also dismissed as ridiculous another charge that appointment of special officers to the local bodies was a backdoor method of stalling the polls.

``It is a painful yet unavoidable decision'', the party spokesman, Mr. R. Chandrasekhara Reddy, explained to reporters on Monday. Messrs C. Mutyam Reddy, R. Prakash Reddy, `Ambika' Krishna, MLAs and V. Tulasiram, vice-president, were present.

Mr. Chandrasekhara Reddy said everyone, including Congress leaders, knew the reasons for postponement of the elections. Its motives were suspect if the Congress still saw red in the issue. All the parties had categorically stated that the present three- tier structure with five functionaries was impracticable.

The Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Centre to amend the Constitution to restructure the set-up dispensing with ZPTC and MPTC.

The Union Government accepted the resolution and introduced the Constitution amendment bill in the Rajya Sabha.

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Section  : Regional
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