The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Naidu cancels visit to East Godavari

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Sunday, Jun 10, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Naidu cancels visit to East Godavari

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: Telugu Desam Party president N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday announced cancellation of his tour to East Godavari district, including a meeting organised by evangelist K. A. Paul at Kakinada on Sunday.

At a press conference, he did not cite any reason but it was obvious that he wanted to avoid courting controversy in the light of Mr. Paul making allegations against Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy that the latter had demanded donation of Rs. 20 crore for Congress party's election campaign.

He said it was for the Chief Minister to prove his innocence by facing an enquiry into the serious charges made by the evangelist. On Dr. Reddy's comment that he was behind Mr. Paul's charges, Mr. Naidu said it had become a habit with the former to link his name whenever he stood exposed. In the instant case too, it was between Dr. Reddy and Mr. Paul to settle the issue. "But Dr. Reddy is making a desperate attempt to escape and divert the attention of the people".

Whenever scandal breaks out or corruption charge is made, instead of holding an inquiry and clearing his name, Dr. Reddy mounts an attack on political adversaries, harasses them physically and mentally and weakens them economically, he said. If the media tries to expose him, he browbeats them and files cases against them.

He went on to charge that AICC president Sonia Gandhi was maintaining silence despite corruption reaching its peak in Andhra Pradesh as the party here had become the main source of funding. "Andhra Pradesh people's loss is gain for Congress leaders in Delhi."

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