TDP sees 'evil intent' in Cong. protests

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, JULY 4. In the continuing war of words with the Congress, the Telugu Desam has charged the main Opposition with taking law into its hands and inciting violence against an elected Government.

Citing the Guntur incidents, ``illegal'' dharna on the Assembly premises and the rasta roko in Armoor by the Congress workers, three Ministers said these incidents clearly demonstrated their ``evil intent'' to create anarchy and corner the Government.

Talking to reporters here on Tuesday, Messrs K. Vidyadhar Rao, K. Srihari and N. Siva Prasad said even while the PCC(I) president, Mr. M. Satyanarayana Rao, spoke about ``peaceful dharna'' in Vijayawada on July 5, the local Congress MLA, Mr. Jaleel Khan, sent in a request to the police for permission to stage day-long dharna on the Bandar road. ``Can't they imagine the amount of inconvenience caused to people if they block the busy road for so long. Is there no other place in Vijayawada?'', they asked.

They appealed to the people to understand and ignore the underlying message behind the Congress' ``obstructionist'' activities, namely to create law and order problems. The issues could be discussed when the Assembly meets next month. After a severe drought, the State received good rainfall and people were busy with agricultural operations. Nothing should be done to disturb this atmosphere.

They also ridiculed the ``confusion'' in the Congress camp on the Guntur incidents, with some leaders stoutly denying any involvement of the party cadre and some others admitting that only a few of their followers were involved.

In a separate press conference, the Energy Minister, Mr. K. Subbarayudu, said the Congress, ``power-hungry since long'', was spreading falsehood. Impatient to put the Government on the mat, they found any stick good enough. On the basis of wrong information, the Congress leaders went to town that AP Transco slapped a seven per cent penalty for late payment of electricity bills. The penalty was seven paise only per 100 rupees and not

seven paise per every rupee, he said, adding the charge was wide of the mark by 100 times!

However, Mr. Rosaiah withdrew his comments to the effect, saying they were based on wrong information.

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Section  : Southern States
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