Date:18/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/18/stories/2005041807510400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Two experts turned away

Staff Reporter

TDP accuses Congress nominee of sidetracking talks

HYDERABAD: Two irrigation experts were turned away from the open discussion on tendering for Vamsadhara project at the Jubilee Hall on Sunday.

Both G. Prabhakar, former Superintending Engineer and B. Anantaramulu, former Chief Engineer were asked to leave the hall after they gained entry on the strength of letters issued by the State leadership of Janata Party and Samajwadi Party respectively. The Government officials, however, insisted that they produce letters from the floor leaders of the two parties in the Assembly. They were informed that the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, wrote letters to the floors leaders, to depute experts.

Later, the Major Irrigation Minister, Ponnala Laxmaiah, accused the TDP of creating a scene by sending Mr. Prabhakar (supposed to be a TDP member) with a letter taken from Janata Party. The party had indulged in a similar showdown by sending five leaders as against only one suggested for the previous session.

At a separate press conference, the TDP leaders, Kadiam Srihari and M.V. Mysoora Reddy, accused the Congress nominee of talking in tandem with P. Sitapati Rao, Irrigation Advisor to the Government.

He could not raise a single technical issue as he did not have the expertise and tried to see that the discussions were sidetracked.