Date:13/12/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/12/13/stories/2003121304540400.htm

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

No recognition for CFT, says Azad

By Our Staff Reporter

WARANGAL DEC. 12. The Congress Working Committee member, Ghulam Nabi Azad, said the party no more recognised the Congress Forum for Telangana (CFT) or any such other wing as it was decided to constitute the Telangana Regional Committee.

Addressing a press conference here today, Mr. Azad said the committee would look into the contentions of the leaders hailing from the region and any leader willing to express their views should make use of several fora created by the party. "They should discuss at the DCC, APCC or CWC. If somebody approaches media, we will take strict action,'' he pointed out referring to the suspension of CFT secretary R Ranga Reddy. Mr. Reddy was suspended from the party when he sought to know the party's stand on Telangana during the Bus Yatra in Warangal.

Mr. Reddy along with his followers approached the senior leaders and demanded that the party come out clear on the Telangana issue. Asked whether the party favoured statehood for the region if returned to power, Mr. Azad evaded a direct reply and said some of the areas in Coastal and Rayalaseema regions too were backward. "No doubt, Telangana is backward. If the party comes to power, we will ensure completion of pending projects and due share in irrigation and employment,'' he contended.

Mr. Azad described the election results in Rajasthan and Chattisgarh as unfortunate. "There was a strong anti-incumbency factor. Despite excellent performance by the Congress governments, the party lost the election. Going by the trend, the TDP will lose in Andhra Pradesh,'' he pointed out. On his observations during the ongoing Bus Yatra, Mr. Azad said people were in favour of a change and were expecting the Congress to return to power. However, it was up to the party to consolidate the public mood.

The TDP Government, despite vast resources, failed to do what it ought to do for the people in the State. The Government had funds from the Centre and World Bank at its disposal, but most of these were pocketed by TDP workers. He accused the TDP of hijacking the schemes introduced by the Congress during its regime at the Centre.