Date:20/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/20/stories/2008112058650300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

TDP makes light of TRS overtures to Congress

Special Correspondent

We are not worried about other parties: Naidu

‘Parties talking of Telangana only after TD took a stand’
Condemns attack on PR leaders in Pulivendula

HYDERABAD: Telugu Desam Party president N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday made light of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) showing inclination to go with the Congress in the Assembly elections.

Avoiding a direct response to a question at a press conference, Mr. Naidu first dismissed the report as speculative, but when insisted he almost seemed unconcerned. “We had been working with the Left parties for the last few years and as long as we are together and go forward with them, we are not worried about other parties.”

He said it was only after the TDP took a firm stand on separate Telangana, other parties started raising the demand. Those who did not take any stand looked jittery.

Congress criticised

To a question, Mr. Naidu said unlike the Congress which deceived the people by promising separate Telangana before Assembly elections in 2004, the TDP never made such a promise.

It went to elections with integrated State slogan but now changed the stand explaining the circumstances to the people.

Condemning the attack on Praja Rajyam leaders in Pulivendula, Mr. Naidu said it reflected Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s brand of politics and criminalisation.

Dr. Reddy had no faith in democracy and narrated how TDP candidate Satish Reddy, who had contested against him in 2004 elections, was harassed and false cases booked against him.

Babli issue

Mr. Naidu was critical of the way the State government had been dealing with the construction of Babli and 11 other barrages by Maharashtra on Godavari.

He wondered why the Maharashtra government prevented a team of TDP MPs and MLAs to visit the projects, if they were legal and why Andhra Pradesh government remained silent as if nothing has happened.

The Centre too remained unresponsive and was not coming forward to protect the rights of Andhra Pradesh. The Central and the State governments seemed least bothered as both were headed by Congress.

Even now the TDP was prepared to join a delegation to bring pressure on Centre, he said.