HYDERABAD, JAN 29: The rebellious Telugu Desam party MLA N Harikrishna on Thursday announced his resignation from the Assembly and the launch of a new political party, Anna Telugu Desam, to further the ideals of his late father and former chief minister N T Rama Rao.Taking his sympathisers and supporters by surprise, Harikrishna called for a press conference at Aahwanam Hotel in the city. At 1.30 pm, he came with a yellow flag with NTR's picture and payed his respect to NTR's portrait. He then declared his decision to quit the Hindupur seat in the Assembly and announced the launching of the new party.Speaking to mediapersons, he lashed out at TDP president and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for diluting NTR's policies and programmes affecting the poor. To propogate his new party, Harikrishna would tour the State in NTR's Chevrolet, Chaitanya Ratham. "I took the decision to come out of TDP with a heavy heart. But, I have no option under the present circumstances. I am going to my brothers andsisters to seek their blessings and wholehearted support. I am confident that people are the ultimate judges and they will recieve me well," he said.Explaining the circumstances which led to his exit from the TDP, Harikrishna said that the party leadership not only "ignored" the issues raised by him in the last few months but "humiliated" him in a systematic manner. "They (TDP leaders) ill-treated me deliberately," he said.Without taking any names, Harikrishna charged the TDP leadership with acting in a dictatorial fashion and said, "The party leadership is today claiming credit for everything. But what have they achieved? Instead, they are trying to erase NTR's image from the party." Stating that his new party would fight for the continuance of all programmes and schemes initiated by his father, Harikrishna said that he would come out with a detailed manifesto soon.He refused to name those supporting him saying, "I am receiving support from different quarters, but I will reveal everything at anappropriate time."
