Date:27/11/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/11/27/stories/2003112704000600.htm

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Cong. has nexus with naxalites: Naidu

By Our Staff Reporter

MYPADU, (NELLORE DIST.), NOV. 26. The Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, said on Wednesday that it was only with the intention of safeguarding the interests of people that he gave up power, much ahead of elections.

Addressing a largely-attended public meeting at the sea shore area of tourist resort, Mypadu, 25 km from here, as part of `Chaduvula panduga,' he charged the Congress with helping those trying to separate the State, thereby negating the sacrifice of the late Potti Sriramulu, who gave up his life for an integrated Andhra Pradesh.

Analysing the reasons for the dissolution of the Assembly, Mr. Naidu said apart from the law and order problem, the Congress party was ready to disintegrate the State. He charged the Congress with following opportunistic policies and also having a nexus with extremists. The Chief Minister made it clear that it would be his endeavour to serve the State till his last as it was his keen desire to transform Andhra Pradesh into a `model State.'

Mr. Naidu referred to the `dream' of extremists to capture power through the bullet and recalled the near fatal attack on him near Alipiri, and said it was a `rebirth' (punarjanma) for him. Accordingly, he would ceaselessly work for the welfare of the poor. He cautioned the people not to be complacent at the `absence' of extremism in certain areas of the State, and claimed that adequate steps were taken to contain extremism in affected districts.

Mr. Naidu dwelt at length on the development process in the State and referred to the Government's commitment to provide for full storage capacity of Somasila project in Nellore district. While an amount of Rs. 180 crores was spent on the project between 1990 and 1996, Rs. 104 crores was spent between 2003-2004.

Referring to representations for the betterment of the Mypadu area, he announced sanctioning of 250 houses for fishermen, each costing Rs. 40,000. An ST residential school would come up at Kodavalur, whereas an investigation division would be formed for the reorganisation of Nellore anicut works. For developing the tourist potential of the Mypadu area, he sanctioned Rs. 50 lakhs to the Tourism Department. About `Chaduvula panduga,' Mr. Naidu reiterated the commitment of the Government to bring in total literacy by 2005 and to bring back all dropouts to school.