Date:09/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/09/stories/2007060903370600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

YSR makes light of evangelist's allegation

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: On a day when global evangelist K.A. Paul feared threat to his life from Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the latter made light of Dr. Paul's claim saying he was making a wild allegation.

Dr. Paul held a news conference in the city on Friday and sent in releases to media that he was concerned about his life because he had refused a donation of $ five million (Rs. 20 crore) to bankroll the Congress party's election campaign in 2004. He also alleged that AICC president Sonia Gandhi tried to scuttle a peace mission of the Global Peace Initiative of which he is Founder President.Brushing aside Dr. Paul's allegation as ridiculous, he denied seeking funds from anyone.