The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : YSR asks people to end TDP `misrule'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 07, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

YSR asks people to end TDP `misrule'

By Our Staff Reporter

BANSWADA (NIZAMABAD DT.), APRIL 6. The former Congress Legislature Party leader, Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy, on Tuesday night gave a call to end the nine-year `misrule' of the ruling Telugu Desam Party and promised to provide `corruption'-free governance if the Congress came back to power.

Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy was addressing a series of roadside meetings on the second day of the `Jaitra yatra' launched by him on Monday. Addressing an impressive gathering from atop the `Jana Chaitanya ratham' in the TDP stronghold of Banswada, Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy reiterated his promise to provide free power to the farm sector and `one-bulb' household. During his tour spanning more than six-hours, Dr. Reddy covered Jukkal, Banswada and Bodhan Assembly segments.

The former CLP leader referred to the long pending irrigation schemes, harassment of ryots, neglect of the weaker sections and how the DWCRA women had been taken for a ride by the Government with the promise of revolving fund. He promised to complete the pending irrigation projects within two years. Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy launched a scathing against the Chief Minister, N.Chandrababu Naidu, and accused his Cabinet colleagues and ruling party leaders of indulging in corrupt activities.

Urging the people to give another chance to the Congress, Dr. Reddy said the time has come to defeat the `fascist rule' of the TDP. He said the people were fed up with the TDP rule and are waiting eagerly to bring back the Congress to power. He did not spare the former Minister, Parige Srinivas Reddy, who was allegedly involved in the stationery scam. He accused the TDP leader of indulging in corrupt practices and doing precious little to develop the constituency. He charged Mr. Reddy with neglecting the interest of the farm sector and failing to take adequate steps to mitigate the hardships of the Nizamsagar ayacutdars.

Dr. Reddy's yatra entered the district at Pitlam mandal headquarters of Jukkal constituency, four hours behind schedule. He was received by the Jukkal Congress nominee and DCC chief, S.Gangaram, and the Nizamabad LS candidate, Madhu Yaskhi. The tour of the former CLP leader in Jukkal segment covering Pitlam, Bichkunda and Jukkal mandals evoked tremendous response as hundreds of enthusiastic party activists waited for hours to listen to the address of Dr. Reddy.

The 90-minute tour of the constituency saw the senior Congress leader refer to the pending Lendi irrigation project being taken up by Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra Governments. He decried the neglect of the said project by the Government, which failed to provide the necessary funds. He said only after the elected representatives of Maharashtra threatened to agitate against the attitude of AP Government, funds were released.

The former CLP leader addressed large gatherings at Banswada town, Birkur mandal headquarters, Kotgir, Rudrur, Varni and Bodhan town before addressing his last meeting at Yedpalli. He entered Adilabad district at the temple town of Basar tonight. He is expected to address meetings at Mudhole, Bhainsa and Nirmal town before he retires for the day.

At Rythunagar in Birkur mandal, 300 TDP cadres joined the Congress in the presence of the Banswada party nominee, Bajireddi Goverdhan. At Birkur mandal headquarters, the Congress received a shot in the arm when senior TDP leader, Rambabu, met YSR and joined the party.

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