The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : It’s a bullet proof Safari for Naidu

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Saturday, Jan 19, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

It’s a bullet proof Safari for Naidu

Special Correspondent

Upset over the government’s ‘indifference and delay’ in replacing cars of his convoy, TDP chief buys himself a new Tata Safari

NEW ACQUISITION: TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu travelling in his new bullet-proof Safari car with the convoy of Ambassadors following him on the Necklace Road in Hyderabad on Friday.

HYDERABAD: Peeved at the government’s ‘indifference and inordinate delay’ in replacing the near junk cars of his convoy, Telugu Desam Party president N. Chandrababu Naidu bought himself a swank new bullet proof Tata Safari and drove in it on Friday.

Mr. Naidu raised eyebrows by travelling in the Safari with plush interiors and attending a series of functions on Friday, the 12th death anniversary of former Chief Minister N. T. Rama Rao. These included garlanding of NTR’ s statue at Rasoolpura, paying homage at NTR Ghat, inaugurating blood donation camp at Basavatarakam Cancer Hospital and a memorial meeting at the party office.

When mediapersons complimented him on his new acquisition, Mr. Naidu emphasised the point, “We purchased it.”

Easily identifiable

But Mr. Naidu’s security personnel did not hide their concern saying the Safari stuck out in a convoy of Ambassadors and was easily identifiable. Party sources said it was a temporary problem as four more Safaris were being readied for the convoy. Again this may not be enough as his convoy should have eight cars, two bullet-proof ones for himself, two for Black Cat commandos of National Security Guards and one each for pilot, intelligence, patrolling and for carrying a jammer.

TDP charge

Denial of Safaris to the Leader of the Opposition enjoying Cabinet rank and Z Plus security, kicked up a row with TDP leaders accusing the government of deliberately maintaining a stoic silence.

At least two times in the past two of the cars broke down, once near the Assembly.

Yet they were not replaced once during the last four years, they had alleged and contrasted this with change in vehicles forming part of the Chief Minister’s convoy twice during the same period.

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