The Hindu : Naidu practising manipulative politics, says YSR

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 18, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Naidu practising manipulative politics, says YSR

By Our Special Correspondent

VISAKHAPATNAM JUNE 17. The Congress Legislature Party leader, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, accused the Chief Minister and the Telugu Desam president, N. Chandrababu Naidu, of indulging in politics of opportunism and manipulations.

Participating in a meet-the-press programme organised by the Vizag Journalists Forum here on Monday, he said the latest instance was the choice of the Presidential candidate, Abdul Kalam. It was an open secret that Mr. Naidu strongly favoured the former Governor of Andhra Pradesh and Vice-President, Krishan Kant, for the top post and worked towards it. But when Dr. Kalam's candidature was finalised, the TDP president arrogated to himself the choice of the new candidate.

``He now claims that he not only had proposed Dr. Kalam's name but also impressed upon the scientist to accept it. He even went to the extent of saying that when Dr. Kalam was hesitant, he had explained to him (Dr. Kalam) the dynamics of electoral college and made him relent. In my opinion, these statements are made by Mr. Naidu in a bid to enhance his own image at the cost of others,'' Dr. Reddy stated.

The CLP leader also expressed shock at the statement of the Chief Minister over the Left parties' choice of social worker, Lakshmi Sahgal, but hastened to add that it was up to the Left parties to react on the issue.

Explaining that his criticism of the Chief Minister was not just for the sake of it, he cited the earlier incident where Mr. Naidu, after the carnage in Gujarat had belatedly demanded the stepping down of the Chief Minister of that State, Narendra Modi.

Defending his party's criticism of Janmabhoomi, the CLP leader refuted the claim of the ruling party which said that so far works to the tune of Rs. 2,000 crores had been undertaken done during 15 rounds of the programme.

On the ongoing talks of the Government with the People's War representatives, he hoped that they would be successful.

Asked whether north Andhra leader, Dronamraju Satyanarayana, was still in the party, Dr. Reddy replied that as far as he knew, Mr. Satyanarayana had resigned, but the party was yet to take a decision in the matter. He refuted the allegation he encouraged group politics against the former MP, saying that he had great regard for Mr. Satyanarayana.

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Naidu practising manipulative politics, says YSR