Date:09/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/09/stories/2005040910320400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

CPI, CPI(M) to skip meet on tenders issue

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, APRIL 8 . The Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (M) today announced that they would not send their experts to participate in the discussions on irrigation tenders, as it "would not serve any purpose".

In a joint letter addressed to the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the MP, S. Sudhakar Reddy, and the secretary of the CPI(M), B.V. Raghuvulu, termed as "insult to political parties" the Government not forthcoming to give necessary information for participation in the discussions.

Surprise over stipulation

The letter expressed surprise at the stipulation of one expert from each political party to attend the discussions slated for April 10.

"This is a clear bid to stall the issue. The questions raised on the tenders issue are not only technical but also of political and financial nature."

"Experts cannot be expected to raise political questions," the leaders said.

The leaders wanted a meeting with representatives of all opposition parties "if the Government is serious about going into the depth of the controversy."

The letter said it was expected of the Government to come clean in the background of doubts and suspicions raised by the Opposition.