The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : TDP joins issue

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 29, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

TDP joins issue

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, DEC.28. The Telugu Desam today denied it was playing "politics over the bodies of tsunami victims" and reiterated the charge of negligence and delay in providing relief to those affected.

The TDP leaders, K. Sivaprasada Rao, E. Dayakara Rao, G. Sukhender Reddy and M. Narsimloo alleged at a press conference that no minister or official had visited the affected areas till 1 p.m. on Sunday though the killer waves struck at 6.30 a.m. Had the administration taken precautionary measures and given timely warning, half of the lives could have been saved, they said.

Defending Naidu

Taking exception to the criticism by the Chief Minister, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, and Congress leaders of the TDP president, N. Chandrababu Naidu, blaming they maintained that Mr. Naidu had only spoken of tardiness in extending relief, they said in Nellore and East Godavari, the victims had told him that no Minister visited them.It was the Congress, which was politicising the tragedy, they alleged and demanded permanent relief measures, enhancement of ex gratia to Rs.3 lakhs, waiver of loans, provision of nets/boats to fishermen and other confidence-building measures.

SC categorisation

At a separate press meet, M. Narsimhulu and other TDP leaders flayed the Government for cancelling GO on SC categorisation and accused it of adopting double standards on the issue. They said the apex court while finding fault with GO on technical grounds had given 90 days' time. By cancelling the GO, the Government was doing injustice to Madigas.

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