Date:27/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/27/stories/2008072758490700.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Congress dares CPI(M) for debate on nuke deal

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: The Congress has thrown an open challenge to the Communist Party of India (Marxist) secretary B.V. Raghavulu to participate in a public debate on the nuclear deal.

The APCC spokesperson and MLC Paladugu Venkat Rao, at a press conference here on Saturday, said that it was better for the Left party leader to participate in an open debate on the nuke deal instead of criticising the agreement. “Let the CPI(M) leader decide where he wants to participate in the debate. I am willing to attend the meeting on behalf of APCC and clear his doubts,” he remarked. At a separate press conference, another spokesperson N. Tulasi Reddy made light of the critical remarks made by actor Naga Babu on the Special Economic Zone.

Stating that the leader of a proposed political party had no awareness on the SEZs, Mr. Tulasi Reddy said this would create employment as well as scope for development of backward areas.