Date:03/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/03/stories/2008050359060600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

TD cadres told to get ready

Staff Reporter

One killed in stampede at venue of Naidu’s meeting

– Photo: T. Vijaya Kumar

On alert: A Black Cat commando keeping a watch on the surroundings even as TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu addresses a roadside meeting at Naramalapadu in Guntur district on Friday.

MACHERLA (GUNTUR DT.): TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu sounded the bugle for the general elections asking party cadres in the district to gear up for the polls.

On day 12 of his ‘Mee Kosam’ programme, he told a large gathering of party leaders to be prepared to give a good fight to the Congress..

Interestingly, groupism came to the fore at the party’s district-level meetings at Karempudi and Durgi.

Differences

Mr. Naidu allowed party leaders and cadres to speak their heart out which brought to fore some of the simmering differences among leaders and their lack of communication with cadres.

Meanwhile, a resident of Veldurthi mandal, Gutthikonda Brahma Reddy (40), died in a stampede when a large section of people was trying to get closer to Mr Chandrababu Naidu here.

The TDP chief came here from Durgi at 7.45 p.m. and reached the venue of the public meeting at Ambedkar circle at about 8 p.m. As soon as Mr. Naidu’s convoy arrived at the main meeting venue, people tried to move closer to the dais resulting in the stampede. The TDP leader announced a compensation of Rs.2 lakh for the victim.