The Hindu : `TDP keen on contesting Proddatur seat'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 30, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

`TDP keen on contesting Proddatur seat'

By Our Staff Reporter

CUDDAPAH, MARCH 29. Functionaries of the Telugu Desam Party as well as people were keen on the party contesting the Proddatur Assembly constituency and its Cuddapah Lok Sabha candidate, M.V. Mysoora Reddy, was also particular about the issue, said the district TDP president, K. Sivananda Reddy, on Monday.

Addressing a press conference here, he admitted that the TDP leaders were trying to retain the Proddatur seat by persuading the State leadership and the BJP would be urged to choose an Assembly constituency in a neighbouring district.

The BJP could be given two Assembly seats in the Parliamentary segment given to it, he observed. The NDA and the TDP would regain power and would bag 35 Parliamentary seats in the State, he said.

Asserting that the TDP was determined to safeguard the people from extremists and thwart the moves of `separatists,' Mr. Sivananda Reddy said the party was prepared for any sacrifice.

It would ensure social justice and give representation to all sections including minorities, BCs and women, unlike the Congress. Asked if the party would field a candidate from the minorities in the district, he replied that they would be considered either in Chittoor or Anantapur districts.

Dubbing the Congress-TRS alliance as `opportunistic,' he accused the Congress leaders of doublespeak and said some favoured statehood for Telangana while others advocated a unified State. He had a dig at the former CLP leader, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, alleging that only his son, Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, and former Cuddapah MP, Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy, were propagating that YSR would become the CM. He reiterated his forecast that the TDP would win 10 Assembly seats and both Parliamentary seats in the district.

Mr. Sivananda Reddy criticised the district administration and deplored the removal of TDP flagposts, flags, banners and erasing of wall-writings of the ruling party contestants. Maintaining that the contestants could put up cutouts, wall writings and posters on private houses and properties, he alleged that the officials' action could send `wrong signals' to the people. He recalled that the TDP flagposts were built spending funds during the recent `flag festival.'

The TDP State secretary, S. Goverdhan Reddy, district official spokesman, B. Hariprasad, general secretary, S. Harindranath, secretary, L. Madhusudan Reddy, Telugu Mahila leader, L. Subbalakshmamma, and leader, A.G. Suryaprakash Reddy, also participated.

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