Andhra CM slams Naidu for changing stand on Telengana

Andhra CM Y S Rajasekhara Reddy launched a scathing attack on his archrival and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu for changing his stand on Telengana.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on his archrival and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu for changing his stand on Telengana, saying the latter was desperate to return to power and hence the support for bifurcation of the state.

Reddy said he could not 8220;rush through8221; the process for evolving a consensus on the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and such a process will move at its own pace.

8220;The TDP is desperate. For the sake of power, they are prepared go to any extent. Naidu8217;s party was for a composite Andhra and were opposing the bifurcation till now. If that party has changed its stand now, what is it for?8221; he told reporters.

He said the Congress in 2003 had suggested that a second state reorganisation commission should be set up for considering demands for separate statehoods.

8220;But in 2004, when Congress came to power with the help of other parties. Many of them were opposed to demands for separate states and it was decided to evolve a consensus. We are working on it,8221; he said.

Taking potshots at CPIM he said, people used to equate principles with that party.

8220;CPIM was for a unified Andhra and what is their stand now. If CPIM, CPI, TRS and TDP think that they can befool people, they should understand that they can8217;t do that,8221; he said.

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The Chief Minister said Naidu was opposed to previous Congress government8217;s many pro-people initiatives and reversed everything when he came to power.

8220;Our previous government announced a scheme of rice for Rs two per kg and free power. Both were reversed by the TDP government. He had said that if we provide free power, we will not have power later and the electric wires will be used by people to dry their clothes,8221; Reddy said.

8220;Now Naidu is saying if voted to power, he will provide free power for 12 hours,8221; he said.