The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Vijayawada News : Ranga's son lays stress on non-violence

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 21, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada

Ranga's son lays stress on non-violence

By Our Staff Reporter

VIJAYAWADA, APRIL 20. The Congress candidate for the Vijayawada East Assembly constituency, Vangaveeti Radhakrishna, son of the slain Congress leader, Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga, on Tuesday said ensuring peace and non-violence were his priorities.

He told mediapersons at a meet-the-press programme organised by the Andhra Pradesh Union of Working Journalists here that he wanted the people of Vijayawada to live in peace.

Extension of basic amenities to people at the grass-root level would be yet another thrust area, if he was elected. "I do not want to make promises like converting the city into a Paris or a Venice.

My emphasis will be on improving the living standards of the poor and the downtrodden,'' he said in an oblique reference to the promise of making Vijayawada into another Venice by the TDP's Lok Sabha contestant, Chalasani Aswani Dutt. When asked if he considered his lack of experience in politics a drawback, he was quick to point out that he enjoyed the support of the youth which, he asserted, would help him surge ahead in his endeavour. Replying to another query, he said besides ensuring proper utilisation of allocated funds, he would try to mobilise additional funds by charity drives.

In an obvious reference to the remarks being made by his mother and poll rival, Chennupati Ratna Kumari, he denied reports that certain forces were preventing Ranga's supporters from moving closely with him. "I am accessible to everyone. Anyone is free to come and meet me directly,'' he said.

He dubbed reports on collection of donations by his supporters as "far from true.'' He said the drinking water scenario was bleak while sanitary conditions were far from satisfactory in Vijayawada. The Congress candidate said he would try to impress upon the authorities to distribute house-site pattas to all the poor and the needy. "I have not formulated any vision as such but I will sincerely try to cater to the basic needs of the common man,'' he maintained. The Congress leader was quick to reply in the affirmative when asked if he would seek his mother, Chennupati Ratna Kumari's blessings in the event of his winning the elections.

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