The Hindu : NTR image on Congress flags defended

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 08, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

NTR image on Congress flags defended

By M. Rajeev

VIJAYAWADA, MARCH 7. As eyebrows are being raised over the appearance of the picture of the TDP founder and former Chief Minister, N.T. Rama Rao, on Congress flags, his elder son-in-law, Daggubati Venkateswara Rao, has defended it saying the last wish of NTR and the political objective of the Congress - "oust Chandrababu Naidu from power'' -- are the same.

Talking to The Hindu here on Saturday, Dr. Rao said: "The only dream of NTR during his last stages was to see the Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, thrown out of power.

This is clearly evident from his speeches in the cassette, `Jamata Dasamagraham', as well as the interview he gave to a private television channel. The Congress too is working for the same goal.''

Dr. Rao, however, clarified that the posters and other campaign material was prepared by his supporters in different districts as the party workers were enthused by his re-entry into active politics by joining the Congress.

"It was the idea of my supporters in different districts and they spent their money for bringing the posters out. I did not contribute anything for the posters,'' he said.

Launching a blistering attack on the ruling TDP, Dr. Rao said that the present Telugu Desam Party under Mr. Naidu was not the party floated by NTR.

The present TDP leadership had given a go by to all the ideals cherished by the party's founder and diluted all his policies.

"All the policies including total prohibition, Rs 2 a kg rice and Rs 50 per horse power of power, which brought us back to power, have been set aside by the present Government,'' he said.

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