Date:12/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/12/stories/2008051259520500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

TDP for Dharmana’s dismissal

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: Several senior leaders of the Telugu Desam Party, including three MPs and two MLAs, on Sunday demanded dismissal of Revenue Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao for allegedly buying disputed land, said to belong to the Srikakulam municipality in the heart of the town.

A delegation comprising MPs K. Yerran Naidu, M.V. Mysoora Reddy and Manda Jagannadham, legislators Uma Madhava Reddy and G. Sayanna and other party leaders - met M.G. Gopal, Secretary to Governor N.D. Tiwari and submitted a memorandum.

Mr. Naidu later told mediapersons that it was over 36 hours since the news of the Minister buying the land had hit the headlines in a Telugu daily.

But sadly, Mr. Rao’s silence on the issue was unbecoming of a member of the State Cabinet, he said.

The TDP leaders demanded action against the Minister for violating the constitutional oath taken by him and for abuse of power, steps to protect the land and action against officials involved in the issue.