Srikakulam: Telugu Desam Party president Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday said that he had spoken to leaders like Prakash Karat of CPI(M), Mulayam Singh of Samajwadi Party and Assom Gana Parishad and other anti-Congress and anti-BJP leaders and decided to launch an agitation on June 13 as part of national protest day complete roll back of petroleum and diesel prices.

Increased revenue

The revenue to Government had increased manifold from many sectors including IT and there was no need to go for steep a hike in the prices of petroleum products, he said. On why was he trying to join hands with communists whose ideology, he described outdated, he said: "They have changed. See what is happening in West Bengal and even China," Mr. Naidu said.

Speaking to newsmen here, Mr. Naidu termed as `drama' the meeting of Congress leaders with party president Sonia Gandhi about price hike, observing that "Ms. Sonia Gandhi holds the remote control and no decision is taken without her knowledge,"

Answering a question, he said that the Governments were implementing all reforms proposed by him long ago but they were not protecting the poor. Reforms should benefit the poor and the downtrodden, he said.

Security aspect

When asked to react on the reported downgrading of his security, Mr. Naidu said: "This is an issue to be decided by the Government. The issue has been brought to my notice and I will take it up," he said.

Mr. Naidu said that security for TDP leaders and workers was being reduced deliberately. Security was not a status symbol, he said and pointed out that providing security to one leader and withdrawing the same to a political opponent would send wrong signals. He wanted the Government to take all political parties into confidence on this issue.

He charged the Government with foisting false cases against TDP workers in districts like Srikakulam, which was free from all such vendetta. This was being done to intimidate TDP workers, he said exhorting party cadre not to be deterred by such acts.

He said he had heard the feelings of grassroot level workers, studied party affairs deeply and chalked out a programme to streamline the party at all levels. There would be only one leader at all levels and all decisions would be taken by him.

Man creates flutter

Staff Reporter in Visakhapatnam writes: A 34-year-old man moving suspiciously with a knife in his bag was held by the police near Subbalakshmi Kalyanamantapam, the venue of Mr. Naidu's party meeting on Wednesday afternoon.

The man, who was held before the arrival of Mr. Naidu, was identified as S. Jagadeeswara Rao, a TDP worker and village committee president of Uppavaram in Achyutapuram mandal. A case was registered under Section 41 of Cr.PC against him.

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