The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Congress-TDP war of words continues

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Wednesday, Dec 12, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Congress-TDP war of words continues

‘Naidu moved to Kuppam as he doesn’t have a base in Chandragiri’

‘TDP unnerved by welfare programmes in Kuppam’
Kiran Kumar Reddy makes light of Roja’s challenge

HYDERABAD: The war of words between the Congress and the Telugu Desam Party leaders on the Kuppam constituency continued for the third consecutive day on Tuesday.

Responding to TDP’s challenge, the Congress Party demanded Leader of the Opposition N. Chandrababu Naidu resign and seek a fresh election to prove his popularity from the constituency.

Government Chief Whip N. Kiran Kumar Reddy and other party legislators at a press conference said Mr. Naidu is afraid of seeking a re-election from the constituency.

They made light of the TDP challenge that an ordinary party worker would defeat Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, if he contests from Kuppam.

They claimed that the TDP leaders were ‘unnerved’ by the rapid development and welfare programmes taken up in the constituency during the last three years. They maintained that there was no need for Dr. Reddy to contest from the constituency.

“Our leader has a constituency of his own and did not migrate from one Assembly constituency to another, like Mr. Naidu did,” Mr. Reddy remarked.

Caught off-guard

“Because Mr. Naidu does not have any base in Chandragiri, he shifted to Kuppam,” Mr. Reddy stated.

However, the Government Chief Whip was caught on the wrong foot when mediapersons sought to know whether leaders like Indira Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and P.V. Narasimha Rao, who fought elections from other States, also came under the category of migrants.

Final say

The Chief Whip clarified that the party decides the constituency to be represented by leaders and that they have no say in the final decision.

Asked about Telugu Mahila president Roja’s challenge that she would defeat him in his native Vayalapad constituency, Mr. Reddy said it was better for leaders to know their stature before passing such comments.

“What leadership qualities does she have. She lost the Nagari Assembly constituency in 2004 and could not ensure victory of the party candidates in local bodies elections,” he alleged.

Congress legislators Vatti Vasant Kumar, S.C.V. Naidu and N. Subramanyam were present.

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