The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : TDP will control liquor sale if voted to power: Naidu

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

TDP will control liquor sale if voted to power: Naidu

G. Ravikiran

I want to go in for total prohibition, he says

‘Culprits in Ayesha case yet to be arrested’
Mild argument between scribes, TDP activists

- PHOTO:CH.VIJAYA BHASKAR

Spirited campaign: Women complain to TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu about belt shops at Jupudi in Krishna district on Saturday.

PARITALA (Krishna District): TDP president and Opposition leader N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday asserted that the party, if voted to power, would ensure a drastic reduction in the sale and consumption of liquor keeping in view the interests and welfare of lakhs of women in the State.

“I want to go in for total prohibition. But what bothers me is that these addicts may take arrack and lose their lives. After coming to power, the TDP will close all belt shops and control the liquor consumption to bring it to a tolerable level,” he assured women, during a road show organised as part of his Meekosam Chaitanya Yatra at Ilesapuram near here.

Liquor menace

Mr. Naidu made repeated mention of the liquor menace, saying it was spoiling the happiness and joy of thousands of families. He blamed the Congress Government for what he described as a totally hopeless situation wherein many women were facing untold problems with their husbands getting easy access to liquor because of belt shops.

Mr. Naidu addressed several public meetings where he provided a chance to local men and women to narrate their problems and speak about what they expect from the Government.

Students’ woes

Several women and B. Tech students poured out their woes to Mr. Naidu at Ibrahimpatnam that the police were harassing them in the name of investigation into the Ayesha Meera murder case. “This Government has created a fear psychosis in our village. They have questioned our children. They have harassed our children. Even the TDP has not come to our rescue,” said a mother. Mr. Naidu told the TDP leaders to provide some support to them and alleged that the Congress Government had not done anything to arrest the real persons guilty of the murder because they belonged to the ruling party.

As Mr. Naidu was about to start his speech at Ilesapuram, there was a mild argument between the media and the volunteers of Telugu Yuvatha. It happened as the photographers turned to click pictures of TDP activists being pushed aside by the Chief Security Officer and other security personnel of Mr. Naidu. He intervened in the matter and asked the party volunteers to maintain a restraint on such occasions.

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