Date:14/01/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/01/14/stories/2005011405860400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Come clean on arms issue: BJP

By Our Staff Reporter

VIJAYAWADA, JAN. 13. The State unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has asked the State to come out with a clear-cut policy on arms issue.

Speaking to media persons here on Thursday, the BJP's State general secretary, N. Naresh, alleged that the Government had been making contradictory statements on the issue and whiling away precious time, even while the "trigger-happy Maoists wreaked havoc with innocent lives."

Referring to the killing of Bandla Srinivasa Rao, a BJP worker from Guthikonda in Guntur district, who was shot dead by the CPI (Maoist) activists on Tuesday night, he said his party was in favour of peace which was possible only by holding talks. "The police are in a demoralised state. The law and order is deteriorating and if the same situation persists, the State may soon turn into another Bihar," he expressed fears.

About the ensuing municipal elections, Mr. Naresh said the party had decided to go alone in all municipal bodies across the State. "We have given full freedom to the district units to make their own decisions and strengthen themselves for civic polls," he said.

Launching a scathing attack on the Congress, Mr. Naresh said that the party had failed in keeping its poll-eve promises. Being deprived of the promised free power, 3.5 lakh farmers were awaiting regularisation of power supply, he pointed out. Ward committees

From February 1, the BJP would embark on a drive to constitute ward committees in all municipal bodies and strengthen mandal committees as part of its preparation for the local body elections. "An anti-Congress wave is prevailing in the State, but people are also not very happy with the TDP for its anti-ryot stand. They have high expectations from the BJP and the party will not belie their hopes," he said.