The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Insult to women: TDP

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 09, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Insult to women: TDP

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, FEB. 8. The Telugu Desam Party has demanded that the Congress Government stand by its poll promise of prohibition in phased manner instead of increasing the number of liquor shops.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, TDP leaders, Tammineni Seetaram, G. Sukhender Reddy, and Vanga Geetha, termed the move as an insult to women who backed the Congress in elections. They demanded the Government to retain the old excise policy.

They alleged that the money had changed hands as the Congress leaders had allegedly entered into an agreement with the companies to increase the prices of liquor. They demanded that the Chief Minister, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who holds the excise portfolio, apologise to the people for reversing the poll promises.

They reminded Dr. Reddy how he sought votes by assuring the voters that the Congress would introduce prohibition in a phased manner.

Mr. Seetaram said even before the policy came into effect, local Congress leaders had formed syndicates to corner liquor shops. He said the Government had firmly stopped sale of toddy in the twin cities with ulterior motive. Now it was trying to convert the five categories of liquor into three and make money.

Minister's dismissal sought

At another press conference, Syed Yousuf Ali, and M. Narasimhulu, demanded the dismissal of the Panchayat Raj Minister, J. C. Diwakar Reddy, to ensure a fair investigation into the murder of the TDP MLA, Paritala Ravi.

They alleged that the Minister should come clean by quitting the Cabinet and proving his innocence in the case. The TDP leaders said the Congress leaders were issuing misleading statements to dilute the probe.

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

Andhra Pradesh

News Update

Stories in this Section