The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Final decision rests with Cabinet, says YSR

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 18, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Final decision rests with Cabinet, says YSR

By Our Staff Reporter

VISAKHAPATNAM, OCT. 17. The Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, today said the demands being put forth by naxalites would be placed before the Cabinet for a final decision. He was speaking to reporters at the airport here during a transit halt on his way to Vizianagaram to take part in the `Rajiv palle bata' programme.

Asked to comment on the demands made by the Communist Party of India (Maoist) and Janashakti on the second day of talks yesterday, Dr. Reddy said the Government would respond to their demands as far as they were practical and within the framework of the Constitution.

``It's a part of the democratic process. We invited them for talks to know their mind on various problems faced by people. Certain issues may have to be resolved at the Union Government level,'' he said.

"Naxalites should give up the path of violence and help develop the State on all fronts. How is it possible for us to allow their so-called political campaign in villages with weapons?'' he said.

Gandhian ideals

A conducive atmosphere could be created if naxal groups reposed their confidence in Gandhian ideals.

Asked whether the Congress Government was treating the issue as a law and order problem, he said it was also a socio-economic problem.

On the naxals' reported demand for withdrawal of cases against those involved in the Alipiri assassination bid on the Telugu Desam Party supremo, N. Chandrababu Naidu, he parried the question, saying: "It could be their demand. Let them list their demands. Later, we will put it before the Cabinet to take appropriate decision.''

On the Asifnagar by-election result, Dr. Reddy said there was no need to treat it as the party's defeat.

"In fact, our party polled 8,000 votes more than what we secured in the last Assembly elections. Incidentally, there was a significant erosion in the support base of the Telugu Desam Party. The TDP is down by 15,000 votes,'' he said.

Dr. Reddy dismissed the TDP's claim that the Congress had encouraged defection by luring D. Nagender to make a `home-coming' to his party.

Asked to comment on the allegations of internal sabotage by some Congress leaders, including a couple of MLAs from Hyderabad, the Chief Minister said the party would study the poll outcome and take action if it found evidence.

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