The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Naidu unfazed by Goud’s exit

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Tuesday, Jun 24, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Naidu unfazed by Goud’s exit

R. Jagadeeswara Rao

TD’s core committee on Telangana to continue its work, says party chief

TD for wider discussion on Telangana: Naidu
Resolves to further strengthen the party in Telangana

Photo: Basheer

WHAT NEXT?: TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu having a word with party leader K. Kala Venkata Rao during the ‘Mee Kosam’ yatra at Santanarsapuram in Srikakulam district on Monday.

PATHAPATNAM (SRIKAKULAM DT): Telugu Desam Party president N. Chandrababu Naidu remained unfazed by the resignation of his ‘virtual No.2’ in the party T. Devender Goud. In his view, after all, the party was more important than individuals. The TDP’s core committee on Telangana would continue its work with another leader in the place of Mr. Goud, he said.

Mr. Naidu, at his routine media conference as part of his ‘Mee Kosam’ tour, asserted that his party would stand by its avowed policy of ensuring a wider discussion before taking any decision on the Telangana issue. “Decisions on issues in which people’s sentiments are involved cannot be taken in a time-bound manner,” he observed.

Rules out negotiation

Mr. Goud was given all the respect that was due to a senior leader. He held important portfolios of finance, revenue and excise. Such senior leaders were expected to act responsibly, said Mr. Naidu. To a query if there was any scope for negotiating with Mr. Goud, the former Chief Minister said: “Where is the possibility? He has already resigned from the party and also membership of the Assembly.” The TDP was very strong in Telangana from the days of N. T. Rama Rao because the party had done so much for the region. We will make all efforts to strengthen it further, he pointed out.

Mr. Chandrababu Naidu said the TDP contested on the plank of an integrated State and lost. But sensing the sentiments of Telangana people, the party said that it was not opposed to the issue. It was a delicate one. The feelings of all three regions would have to be taken into account before taking a decision, he said. “That’s why we have set up a core committee of five members of which Mr. Goud was also a member. We have decided to hold the next meeting in the first week of next month. This was explained to him also. But he resigned on his own,” said Mr. Naidu.

‘Atrocious’

Srikakulam MP and TDPP leader K. Yerran Naidu, who broke the news to Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, described Mr. Goud’s decision as “atrocious” and said Mr. Goud owed an explanation to the people.

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