Date:19/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/19/stories/2005051909820400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Minister's dismissal sought for `objectionable remarks'

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: The Telugu Desam Parliamentary Party (TDPP) has sought the dismissal of the Panchayat Raj Minister, J. C. Diwakar Reddy, for his "objectionable remarks" against women and his comment justifying the use of police against the TDP workers.

Addressing a press conference, the TDPP leader, K. Yerran Naidu, and the MPs -- R. Chandrasekhara Reddy and V. Geetha -- said the Minister by making such comments in connection with the Penukonda byelection, had violated the oath of office, Constitution and the model election code.

They said if the byelection was to be held in a peaceful, free and fair manner, the Agriculture Minister, N. Raghuveera Reddy, should not be allowed into the constituency and the Inspector-General of Police, R.P. Meena, and the SP, R.S. Praveen Kumar, transferred.

On the violent incidents in Penukonda, they wondered if a "jungle law" prevailed in the State. A political party, which had lost six workers, was at the receiving end.

`Cases foisted'

Instead of booking attempt to murder cases against the police for firing on unarmed persons, false cases were foisted on the TDP workers and they were arrested. They also sought a judicial enquiry into the police firing. The leaders said they expected a favourable response to their memorandum to the Election Commission.

They made light of the Congress criticism on the choice of Paritala Sunita as the TDP candidate, wondering if she was a bigger factionalist than the one ruling the State. They said the Congress candidate, B. Ramulu, was a close supporter of Bhanumathi, wife of G. Suryanarayana Reddy.