The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Rajasekhara Reddy sworn in Chief Minister

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, May 15, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Rajasekhara Reddy sworn in Chief Minister

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, MAY 14. The Congress Legislature Party leader, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, was sworn in Chief Minister of the State in the presence of a gathering of thousands and minutes later signed the first file to keep his election-eve promise of free power for farmers.

Amid loud cheers, he also announced the waiver of electricity dues from farmers and a better empowerment package for women. The Governor, S. S. Barnala, administered the oath of office to Dr. Reddy at 1.39 p.m. in a packed Lal Bahadur stadium. The Chief Minister said he would constitute a full-fledged Cabinet within the next few days, after the Congress-led Government assumed office at the Centre.

Dr. Reddy marked his debut in office by making another significant announcement — that he would review and, if possible, lift the ban on People's War and its front organisations if they created a "congenial atmosphere" in the State by putting an end to violence. On the Government's part, he would `strongly' advice the police to reciprocate by not resorting to fake encounters and acts of repression.

He told presspersons later that if the naxalites took his advice, he would even call them for talks "without preconditions," as suggested by ballad-singer, Gaddar. The ban on PW will lapse by July-end, but restrictions on the outfit under POTA might continue.

Earlier, addressing the gathering at the swearing-in, he said free power to farmers would cost the exchequer Rs.400 crores annually. He promised to provide a clean, transparent and honest Government and endeavour to change the face of the State.

"No farmer and no handloom weaver would have to commit suicide out of desperation. We will take care of all their problems. Women and youth will have special schemes," he said in his 30- minute speech.

Various sections, especially farmers, had suffered during the nine-year rule of the Telugu Desam, he said. "As the Opposition leader I could only console you during my padayatra. Now is the time to wipe the tears from the eyes of farmers, women and unemployed youth, the dalits, the backward classes and the minorities."

He said problems relating to drought would be solved through special efforts and pending irrigation projects would be completed on a war footing.

Leaders across the political spectrum attended the swearing-in ceremony. The former Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, was conspicuous by his absence, which his party men said was due to security concerns in an open stadium. Among those present were K. Chandrasekhara Rao and A. Narendra of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (they were the first to greet him), B. V. Raghavulu, secretary of the State CPI (M), S. Sudhakar Reddy, secretary of the State CPI, N. Indrasena Reddy, president of the State BJP and Asadaduddin Owaisi of the MIM. Dr. Reddy had personally invited all of them to the ceremony.

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