Date:08/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/08/stories/2009010856690400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Congress denies creating hurdles for Chiru’s tour

HYDERABAD: The Congress denied that the government had created obstacles for Praja Rajyam president Chiranjeevi’s tour in Nellore district.

Information Minister Anam Ramnarayan Reddy said at a press conference on Wednesday that Mr. Chiranjeevi’s failure to adhere to the time and starting his ‘yatras’ in the afternoon was the real cause of the delay in addressing his meetings. “If he can delay this yatra because of poor turnout, why should the government be blamed,” he asked.

Reminding the PR chief that he was not in the film industry any more, the Minister said: “Let him learn something from Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy and former Chief Minister N.Chandrababu Naidu, who are up early to meet people,” he pointed out.

Dismisses remarks

The Minister noted that Mr Chiranjeevi had not grasped the issues concerning people. He made light of his remarks against the government that welfare and developmental programmes had taken a backseat.

“If the government programmes had failed, then why is he making similar promises such as provisions for Rs. 100,” he questioned.

Mr. Ramnarayan Reddy said “his speeches only exposed his lack of understanding of the subjects that were supposed to be raised by him,” he said and added that the actor could not even read out the prepared script by his party leaders.