Date:26/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/26/stories/2008042654250500.htm

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Andhra Pradesh

TDP will support Girijans till end, says Yerran

Special Correspondent

Chief Minister criticised for going ahead with bauxite mining in Agency

Tribals told to emulate Alluri Sitaramaraju
Local MLA told to make his stand clear on the issue

— Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam

Show of solidarity: TDP leaders Yerran Naidu shakes a leg with tribals in Araku Valley on Friday.

ARAKU VALLEY: The Telugu Desam would support the Girijans in their struggle against Government’s move to take up bauxite mining in the Visakha agency area till it scrapped the move, Leader of TDP Parliamentary Party K. Yerran Naidu said here on Friday.

“Show your strength and determination, get inspired by Alluri Sitaramaraju and Jhansi Laxmibai and chase away those coming here to take up bauxite mining. The TDP would always be with your. Defeat the Congress in the elections and TDP would scrap the agreements as soon as it comes to power,” Mr. Yerran Naidu said at a public meeting held at the conclusion of the padayatra conducted by the party’s rural wing in the areas where bauxite mining would be taken up.

Threat to ecology

Mr. Yerran Naidu and other leaders strongly criticised the Congress Government and Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy for deciding to go ahead with the bauxite mining in spite of the Girijans and others strongly opposing the same as it would destroy the forests, the life of Girijans and also the people in plain area as the water sources to them would dry up or get highly polluted. He did not honour the Constitutional provisions or Supreme Court judgments as he was keen to make money.

In one refinery his family had stakes while another refinery was being promoted by a Congress MP, Mr. Naidu said.

President of rural TDP unit and former Minister Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy asserted that more resistance would be offered to stop bauxite mining. District Minister Konathala Ramakrishna was ineffective, as he could not oppose bauxite mining, he said.

Former Minister M. Manikumari said the Congress had opposed the bauxite mining proposal made during TDP rule but Dr. Reddy was keen to take up the same project without any concern for the Girijans.

State organising secretary of TDP Sobha Hymavathi who took a leading part in organising the padayatra, asked local MLA K. Ravi Babu to make his stand clear on bauxite mining.

Former Minister R.S.D.P.A.N. Raju, State ST cell leader K. Chittinaidu, State joint secretary G. Amarnath, city president Zaheer Ahmed, vice-president K. Govinda Reddy, G. Ramanaidu and others and others spoke.