Hyderabad: Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Monday described Telugu Desam president N. Chandrababu Naidu's criticism of his rule as a "futile exercise aimed at covering his own failures as an Opposition leader."

Talking to The Hindu , Dr. Reddy said every word uttered by Mr. Naidu at the TDP Mahanadu reflected the latter's frustration at losing power. The "directionless and aimless speeches" that marked the three-day event would come as a disappointment to the people too, as they would expect a more "mature and responsible behaviour" from the main Opposition.

`TD jittery'

Dr. Reddy said the TD leaders were jittery at the outcome of `Jala Yagnam' and `Indiramma' as these two programmes would transform the face of the rural economy and the life of people. Asking Mr. Naidu not to cheat farmers once again by expressing false concern for them, he said the Telugu Desam had done irreparable damage to the agriculture and irrigation sectors in its nine- year rule.

"In the garb of fighting non-existing corruption, the Telugu Desam leadership wants to scuttle the Jala Yagnam programme somehow. Unmindful of its negative impact, Mr. Naidu is targeting the projects by spreading canards. But then what else can we expect from a politician who did not fight the neighbouring State over Almatti dam issue?" he asked.

Ridicules claim

Ridiculing Mr. Naidu's claim that his party would bounce back to power, he said it was yet another dream of the Telugu Desam president. The good work being done by the Congress would not go unnoticed despite the strident campaign of Mr. Naidu.

"We have promised `Indiramma Rajyam' and every programme of ours is designed to address the concerns of the poor," he said citing the ruling party's commitment to providing free power supply, increased old age and widow pensions and land distribution to the landless.

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