Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Welfare works: YSR sets deadline

HYDERABAD: As the date for notification of the next elections is approaching fast, Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy asked his Cabinet colleagues to ensure completion of the pending welfare and development works of their respective departments before January-end.

Dr. Reddy is understood to have told the Ministers at a meeting of the Cabinet on Monday that election schedule was likely to be notified on March 3 after which the model code of conduct would come into force, preventing the government from extending benefits to people under any scheme.

The Ministers are, therefore, asked to see that schemes like houses under Indiramma and others are completed before February 15. The Chief Minister is understood to be upbeat over a report published in local press that 48 per cent people were behind the Congress in the by-elections for Assembly and local bodies held recently. He said this was the “biggest achievement” by any party after TDP came into picture 25 years ago and TDP founder N.T. Rama Rao could not get such a support. The Ministers as well as the party leaders were, however, warned against becoming “overconfident” or “complacent” as it would not augur well for the party in the elections. He is said to have explained that while “sabotage” by a section of leaders was said to be the main reason, “overconfidence” of two Ministers Maganti Babu and M. Mareppa had cost the party dear in the ZPTC bypoll.

He was forced to seek their resignation so that a proper signal was sent to the party rank and file against a “laidback approach.” He allayed apprehensions over the Congress’ prospects if it went alone claiming that the tie-ups being forged by the opposition parties would do no harm to the party.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu