The Hindu : Congress lacks clarity on key issues: Yanamala

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 15, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Congress lacks clarity on key issues: Yanamala

By Our Special Correspondent

RAJAHMUNDRY, MARCH 14. The Finance Minister, Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, on Sunday predicted Congress rout in the coming election because it lacked clarity on all the major issues -- integrated State, naxalites, subsidy on power etc -- on which elections would be fought.

Speaking to newsmen at Tuni, about 90 km from here, he said the All India Congress Committee (AICC) president, Sonia Gandhi, had not clarified on the above issues during her recent visit to the State. The Congress had no programme except hurling baseless allegations against the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and its leaders, he said adding that it had failed to play the role of a constructive opposition.

On the other hand the TDP had clarity on all issues and it had already released its manifesto. An integrated State with special emphasis on development of backward areas was the main feature of the manifesto, he said.

Mr. Ramakrishnudu pointed out that rural society formed the backbone and the TDP intended to spend as much as Rs. 60,000 crores for the overall development of rural areas. The TDP manifesto was finalised keeping in mind the development that had been achieved in the last eight years of TDP rule, the revenues and expenditure and other realities at the ground level. It was realistic manifesto, he claimed. Stress would be on development of roads, ports, airports, with special emphasis on irrigation and industrial development. Employment opportunities, especially for the youth and women, would be ensured. The cooperation of private and public sectors would be enlisted for this purpose, he said.

In the field of education, health, empowerment of women and youth, among other things, the TDP had done a lot in the last eight years and the State was very much on the road to achieve the Vision-2020 under the leadership of the Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, he said.

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