Date:05/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/05/stories/2008050559560400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Talasani confident of good show

Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD: In an attempt to garner support from the members of minority community for the upcoming by-elections, TDP contestant from Secunderabad and former Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav organised a ‘Minority Jalsa’ at Railway High School, Chilkalguda on Sunday.

The party leaders and workers claimed that TDP victory from Secunderabad was a foregone conclusion and came down heavily on the Congress and the TRS alleging that both the parties took people for a ride by promising a separate Telangana State during last elections.

Speaking to media persons before addressing the function, Mr. Yadav said that basic issues like proper water and power supply, roads and rising prices would play an important role in this election. “People understood the fact that the Congress and the TRS took them for a ride during last election just by promising separate Telangana. We are confident that they will decide in our favour,” he said.

While addressing the gathering, which was modestly attended, Mr. Yadav also challenged the top brass of State Congress to fight elections against him in Secunderabad.

He also recalled various development projects taken up especially for the minorities by the TDP Government during its regime.

TDP Polit Bureau member Lal Jan Basha, MLC Ibrahim Bin Abdullah Masquati, former Khairatabad MLA K. Vijay Rama Rao and a host of local leaders from Telugu Desam’s minority cell were present.