The Hindu : TDP flayed for `defiance'

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

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

TDP flayed for `defiance'

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, MARCH 14. Taking exception to the Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu's criticism of the Election Commission's directive to stop the implementation of welfare schemes, Congress leaders have accused him of showing disrespect to the Commission and trying to belittle democracy.

Addressing separate press conferences on Sunday, the APCC chief spokesperson, K. Rosaiah, and two other leaders -- Renuka Chowdhary and P. Sudhakar Reddy -- said the Congress on its part would "obey" the guidelines issued by the Election Commission to ensure free and fair elections in the State. But the Chief Minister, instead of rectifying the `wrongs' pointed out by the EC, declared that he would move court, "betraying his lack of respect'' for the Commission.

They also lashed out at Mr. Naidu for his attack on the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, saying she only highlighted people's problems and the "anti-people's policies" of the Government. Ms. Gandhi had only drawn people's attention to the unprecedented number of suicide committed by farmers and the "ruinous state'' of the agricultural sector. Regarding Telangana, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi leader, K. Chandrasekhar Rao, was quite happy with what Ms. Gandhi had said.

They said farmers suffered heavy crop loss because of lack of timely supply of power, water and seed. In addition, pesticides were adulterated and the Government instead of taking action threw up its hands saying that nothing could be done unless the Centre amended the relevant laws. After failing to pay attention to the agriculture sector for nine years, the ruling party had suddenly "woken up'' and announced "boons.

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Andhra Pradesh