The Hindu : Minister makes light of ex-MP's resignation

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 16, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Minister makes light of ex-MP's resignation

By Our Staff Reporter

NIZAMABAD, MARCH 15. The Minister for School Education, Mandava Venkateswara Rao, on Monday said the resignation of the former Nizamabad MP, Gaddam Ganga Reddy, would have no impact on the party's prospects in the coming elections.

Addressing a joint press conference along with the TDP general secretary, Revuri Prakash Reddy, at the party office here this afternoon, Mr. Venkateswara Rao denied the allegations levelled by Mr. Ganga Reddy that he had neglected development of the district, particularly the irrigation sector. The Minister was flanked by the TDP district chief, Arikela Narsa Reddy, and the former Minister, D.Satyanaryana.

Describing as unfortunate the outburst of the former MP, Mr. Venkateswara Rao said Mr. Ganga Reddy had made up his mind to quit the party.

"He thought it fit to drag me into needless controversy,'' he said.

He said even when the former MP was levelling baseless allegations against him, he had kept quiet as a disciplined soldier of the party.

Mr. Venkateswara Rao said he would contest from Dichpalli segment only and denied any move to switch to Bodhan. He said he would not mind taking on Mr. Ganga Reddy in Dichpalli.

The Minister expressed surprise that the former MP was now accusing him of not taking up developmental works. "On several occasions, while sharing the dais, he had praised me for development of the district,'' he said.

Mr. Prakash Reddy described the resignation of Mr. Ganga Reddy as political suicide.

He said the former MP had been "blackmailing" the TDP leadership to allot him the Dichpalli seat.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh