YSR takes potshots at TDP supremo

Chief minster Y S Rajasekhara Reddy chose the 'rededication meeting', held here on Saturday to mark the completion of one year of his rule in the state, to unleash a direct offensive against the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), particularly against the opposition leader, N Chandrababu naidu.

Targeting the TDP supremo, Reddy pointed out that it was his mistake to expect a responsible behaviour from a person whose entire career was built on betrayal and opportunism.

Reiterating that TDP's refusal to avoid fielding a person with factional history for the sensitive Penukonda by-election has led to the Friday's violence, chief minster said the incident proved that nothing appealed to Naidu except 'own selfish interests'.

Reacting to the bitter criticism on his irrigation plans by the opposition party, Reddy said that Naidu tried all tricks, including moving courts with the so called public interest litigation, to stall the process as the latter feared TDP would not be able to find even candidates to contest on a TDP ticket in the next Assembly elections if the irrigation projects were through.

"From the day you left Congress party for greener pastures in Telugu Desam and later usurped power by backstabbing your own father-in-law, up to joining hands with the BJP by ditching the United Front, each and every instance show that opportunism is living in your blood," Reddy criticised Naidu in choicest words.

In an effort to win over the backward classes, who have been the backbone of the TDP, the chief minister announced 'Rajiv Abhyudaya Yojana' with an outlay of Rs 1,300 crore aiming to benefit 10 lakh BC families by providing loans and subsidies for improving their livelihood.

"My government, which aims to achieve 'Indiramma Rajyam', will see to it that all those sections who have been deprived of better life would be given a firm helping hand," Reddy said, adding that all the electoral promises, including the construction of 26 irrigation projects would be fulfilled by his government in the next four years.

The meeting commenced with the speaches of three SC leaders, including Parliament member G Venkata Swamy, state ministers Koneru Ranga Rao and G Vijayarama Rao.

The theme of criticising the opposition for its irresponsible attitude along with reaffirming confidence in the Rajasekhara Reddy's leadership has run through all those speaches.

Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister and AICC's incharge of state Congress affairs Digvijay Singh also advised Reddy to go ahead with his grand development plans not minding the criticism.