Andhra Pradesh - Karimnagar   

Congress, TDP leaders clash on SRSP project

Staff Reporter

‘TDP invitation for discussion only to gain media attention’

Wordy duel: TDP and Congress leaders engaged in an argument during an open debate at the SRSP flood flow canal project site at Korikyala village of Gangadhara mandal on Friday.

KARIMNAGAR: Leaders of the district Telugu Desam Party and Congress on Friday clashed during an open debate on the execution of SRSP flood flow canal (FFC) project at the site on the outskirts of Kurikyala village of Gangadhara mandal.

The district Congress leaders, led by their official spokespersons -- Akarapu Bhaskar Reddy and Swaminathan, party leaders Ama Anand, Praveen, Bapu -- and others arrived for the discussion.

The TDP did not make arrangements for the debate nor did it depute a moderator. Instead, the leaders who arrived in large numbers carrying party flags, stood in the open at the project site.

As soon as the Congress leaders arrived, they began raising slogans and the Congress leaders countered them. This continued for 15 minutes. The police had a tough time in separating the groups. Later, the two parties decided to discuss the issue and sat in the open.

The parties asked the media to act as moderator. As Congress leader Bhaskar Reddy said that the discussion was unofficial and aimed only at gaining media attention, the TDP leaders obstructed him and raised slogans.

Contrary to the allegations, TDP leader Eda Shankar Reddy showed only the charge-sheet copy released by the TDP and also the election manifesto of both the parties. The Congress leaders countered saying that all the developmental works, including the FFC and other projects, were taken up only during the Congress regime.

They claimed that the Congress was fulfilling all its election promises. Suddenly, some TDP leaders surged ahead and clashed with the Congress leaders and were dispersed by the police.

Talking to newsmen, Congress leader Bhaskar Reddy alleged that the TDP leaders purposefully foiled the open debate, fearing that their true colours would be exposed.

He said that the Congress Government was willing to debate in open all the developmental works taken up by it in the district.

Mr. Shankar Reddy said the Congress was scared of debate on the irrigation projects and other developmental works.

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