Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam

TDP demonstration against bauxite mining at G.K. Veedhi today

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Telugu Desam Party is organising a demonstration and public meeting at Gudem Kotha Veedhi on Thursday as part of its agitation against bauxite mining in the agency area and setting up of alumina refineries in the plain area which will process bauxite.

This will be followed by a four-day padayatra in Anantagiri mandal in December or January. A public meeting will be held at Anantagiri at the end of the padayatra.

As the State government continued with its stubborn stand regarding bauxite mining and setting up of refineries in spite of the girijans and people in the plains strongly opposing the same, the TDP decided to organise a major protest programme at GK Veedhi in the agency area, said TDP rural unit president and former Minister Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy at a press conference here on Wednesday.

Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy strongly opposed bauxite mining when he was Leader of Opposition but was now keen on both since his son was allegedly having a share in the refinery sanctioned in Makavaripalem mandal, he charged.

In the agency area, people moving in the guise of medical teams were trying to convince girijans to give their consent to bauxite mining with false promises of jobs for every one and many other benefits.

In Makavaripalem mandal, TDP men and Grama Rakshana Samitis were turning away government officials coming there to acquire land, the TDP leader claimed.

He also challenged the government to go ahead with the foundation laying ceremony reportedly planned for December 9.

He asserted that his party was continuously and actively opposing bauxite mining and refineries though there might be some mistakes like calling off the relay hunger strike at Makavaripalem while the statement of Narsipatnam MLA and TDP vice-president Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu was wrongly reported to give an impression that he was supporting the refinery.

TDP leaders Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, K. Kala Venkata Rao, Mr. Ayyanna Patrudu, Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Dadi Veerabhadra Rao, MLAs Ganta Srinivasa Rao and Chengala Venkata Rao, Anakapalle MP P. Chalapati Rao, party’s present and past ZPTCs, MPTCs, district leaders and others would participate.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu