Date:15/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/15/stories/2008051558150300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

TDP showers promises in a bid to woo voters

Staff Reporter

‘Congress leaders plundering the State’

TDP chief promises houses for poor free of cost
Accuses State of encouraging liquor consumption

GANDHARI (NIZAMABAD DT.): Telugu Desam Party chief N. Chandrababu Naidu has said his party if voted to power in next Assembly elections, would scrap all house loans and all poor and shelterless will be provided with houses free of cost by constructing them at a cost of Rs.1 lakh each.

“In the four year Congress rule all houses were sanctioned for party leaders. Each leader has got ten houses. The poor have become paupers with spiraling prices and lack of employment opportunities,” he said while making whirlwind tour as part of his ‘Mee Kosam’ yatra in the district on Wednesday.

Skyrocketing prices

Addressing a series of road corner meetings in the Yellareddy constituency, he said in the Congress rule for common man life became burdensome with skyrocketing prices. Edible oil price per kg went up to Rs.100, redgram pulse Rs.70, vegetable price Rs.30 and cement per bag Rs.200.

Increased belt shops

The Government indiscriminately encouraged liquor consumption and as a result number of belt shops had gone up to 70,000. Liquor prices were not within the reach of the poor and taking advantage of the weakness of consumers even cheap liquor rate was increased from Rs.20 to Rs.60.

In this backdrop, if the Congress was again voted to power oil price would soar to Rs.200 per kg and cement bag to Rs.500. Congress leaders were plundering the State and wanted to purchase votes with cash bags. “Your vote is valuable and if you were lured once there will not be any limit to corrupt practices of Congress leaders,” he observed.

Increased pension

Showering several promises, Mr. Naidu said if his party was elected the youth and the physically disabled would be given an unemployment dole of Rs.1,000 each and pension amount would be increased to Rs.500.

Prominently pointing out problems of Gulf victims at Sadasivanagar, the TDP chief attributed them to misrule of Congress.

Strangely Mr. Naidu was cautious in attacking TRS and the issue of Telangana. He said the TRS failed to wage struggle on public issues and casting vote in favour of that party was mere waste. Earlier, his ‘Mee Kosam’ entered the district from Basar. He proceeded in the yatra braving hot sun inspite of suffering with fever.