TD, TRS to move together

BY J.R.PRASAD

Hyderabad, Sept. 12: The Praja Rajyam leadership is still mulling over its stand on Telangana statehood while the Telugu Desam and the Telangana Rastra Samiti are clearing the decks to move together. Addressing mediapersons on Friday at NTR Bhavan, the TD chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, said that the party was growing closer to the TRS.

Replying to a question over the possibility of a pre-poll alliance between the TD and TRS, Mr Naidu said, "Why only with the TRS. We are considering sailing with other parties." "We will disclose the details at an appropriate time," he said, adding, "Our five-member committee has been eliciting opinions of our party cadre over Telangana. As soon as the process is over, we will spell out our stance on Telangana and on alliances."

Mr Naidu also launched a scathing attack on the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S.Rajasekhar Reddy, for misusing the official machinery for the visit and public meetings of the UPA chairperson, Mrs Sonia Gandhi. "The ruling party mobilised the public to the Anantapur meeting by giving them money and liquor. It is a shame," Mr Naidu said. "Much of Mrs Gandhi’s speech was dedicated to showering compliments on the Chief Minister. She didn’t utter a single word on the problems being faced by the common man."

The TD chief said the people of the state were vexed by the "anti-people policies" of the Congress government and were waiting for an opportunity to dislodge it. "They spent Rs 20 crore on the Anantapur meeting. The Congress may spend a lot of money which was earned through corrupt practices. But it can’t win the people’s hearts." Mr Naidu exuded confidence that the TD would get back to power in the next elections.