Date:09/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/09/stories/2005040910340400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Naidu politicising debate on tenders, says Ponnala

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, APRIL 8. The Major Irrigation Minister, Ponnala Lakshamiah, feels that the letter written by the TDP president, N. Chandrababu Naidu, to the Chief Minister, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, is an an attempt to politicise the debate on irrigation projects.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Mr. Lakshmaiah said the letter by Mr. Naidu was yet another bid to indulge in mudslinging. Making light of the suggestion that non-controversial NGO representatives moderate the debate, he said the Government had already shortlisted upright, unbiased and apolitical experts for the debate. He turned down the TDP's demand that it be shown files pertaining to the tenders.

`Motivated campaign'

He also dismissed out of hand the demand that the Government furnish details of irrigation projects, tenders, estimated cost of projects, bids by contractors and other relevant data. The fact that the TDP did not have information about the projects showed that it was only levelling "baseless allegations" to demoralise the Government, he pointed out.

He made light of another condition that officials allegedly involved in irrigation tenders irregularities should not be invited for the meeting. He said that it was the TDP, alone which had been charging certain officials with being responsible for the tender fiasco. He observed that when specific allegations were levelled against TDP leaders in the past, Mr. Naidu never bothered to react.

The Irrigation Minister termed meaningless another demand that the party, which levelled serious allegations, should be allotted more time. The Government with a view to giving the Opposition a fair chance, had invited all political parties to send their queries. He sought to know whether the TDP wanted more time to make more allegations.

CLP flays TDP

Meanwhile, the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) criticised the TDP for changing tack every now and then in alleging irregularities in tenders.

Addressing a press conference, the CLP members -- G. Muddukrishnama Naidu, P. Viswaroop, R. Suryaprakasa Rao and K. Venkateswarlu -- said the TDP not only lacked consistency but also in cogency in its arguments. The good work being done by the Congress Government in the State had come in for praise from the highest authorities in the country. The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, was happy at the irrigation policy of the Government and the Finance Ministry was also appreciative of it.

The increased Plan outlay evidently was in support of the healthy policies adopted by the Government. Congratulating the Chief Minister for successfully bargaining for a higher layout, they said perhaps the TDP was desperate over the popularity of Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy.