The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Controversy over change in PM's programme

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 29, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Controversy over change in PM's programme

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, JUNE 28. The change in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's programme in the State has become a subject of controversy between the ruling Congress and Telugu Desam Party as they continue to trade allegations over the killings of political workers in Anantapur district.

Dr. Singh, who is touring the State on July 1 to console bereaved families of farmers and for a first-hand assessment of the crisis, will now visit Kurnool district, instead of Bukkarayasamudram Mandal in Anantapur district.

The TDP president, N. Chandrababu Naidu, alleged that the Congress Government had altered Dr. Singh's programme to avoid his visit to Anantapur district where, he alleged, Congressmen had murdered several Telugu Desam activists in the recent past.

Denouncing this as a `wild allegation', the Chief Minister, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, explained that Dr. Singh's visit to Anantapur was dropped at the instance of the Prime Minister's Office due to technical reasons. The PMO suggested that of the two helicopters available for the PM's travel, one could not fly the long distance from Hyderabad to Anantapur while the other did not have air-conditioning.

The decision was taken after consultations between the PMO and the Chief Secretary, Mohan Kanda.

Dr. Reddy said he would only be too willing even at this stage to escort the Prime Minister to the backward Anantapur district.

Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy's initiative to have an all-party delegation submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister in Hyderabad on July 1 failed with the TDP spurning the Government's offer to join the team.

Mr. Chandrababu Naidu told reporters that a TDP delegation would separately meet the Prime Minister to not only make a representation about the farmers' suicide but also apprise him of other issues such as the spurt in killing of its party workers and the alleged employment of child labour by Sanghi industries.

The Chief Minister was, however, unfazed over the TDP's resolve to keep away from the all-party team. "If they genuinely feel about the people's needs, they will join the delegation. Otherwise, people will come to their own judgment," he said.

The Finance Minister, K. Rosaiah, had a telephonic talk with Mr. Naidu on Sunday inviting the TDP to accompany the all-party team.

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

Andhra Pradesh