Andhra Pradesh

APCC chief justifies indirect polls

Special Correspondent

'It is in the interest of democracy'

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president, K. Keshava Rao, has defended the Government's plan to hold indirect elections to municipalities saying that the decision was in the interest of democracy and the people. He has ruled out differences in the ruling party over the issue and described differing voices as "personal opinions."

Talking to presspersons here on Thursday, he said that there would be no room for horse-trading as the ward elections would be fought with clear political identities. He justified it further by saying that direct election of chairpersons could pose problems when others in the body were his political opponents. No developmental work would be possible, as only political considerations would become pivotal to detractors.

He said alliances in the local body elections would be decided by the DCCs and the PCC would have no role in it. The DCCs would have to prepare list of probables and select the best candidate.

The indirect elections would also help the ruling party implement reservations in selecting the candidates leading to fulfil its social justice promise made during the election campaign, he added.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu